Clicky

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A57

Portability
65
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
56
Features
85
Overall
67

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Superseded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Updated by Canon SX30 IS
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Older Model is Sony A55
  • Renewed by Sony A58
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A57 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony A57, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and A57 (16MP) and the SX20 IS (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) have different sensor sizing.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The SX20 IS was revealed 3 years before the A57 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SX20 IS grades versus the A57 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Sony A57

 SX20 IS A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Canon SX20 IS

 A57 SX20 IS 
IntroducedSeptember 2012July 2010Fresher by 26 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Sony A57

 SX20 IS A57 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX20 IS enjoys outside dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Sony A57 has measurements of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

See the Canon SX20 IS versus Sony A57 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the SX20 IS versus the A57.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A57 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and A57 is 65 and 64 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX20 IS and A57.

Clearly, the two cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SX20 IS with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh tougher and the Sony A57 will offer you greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older SX20 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography highlights
Sony A57 Portrait photography highlights
36
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
73
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW files
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography highlights
Sony A57 Street photography highlights
49
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competitors (600 grams)
75
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography info
Sony A57 Sports photography info
33
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography advice
Sony A57 Travel photography advice
52
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (600 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
66
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse function
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography info
Sony A57 Landscape photography info
35
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
72
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging info
Sony A57 Vlogging info
49
decently wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
more heavy than competitors (600 grams)
76
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon SX20 IS vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Sony A57
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISSony SLT-A57
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Sony SLT-A57
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-07-06 2012-09-13
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 16000
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 -
Macro focus range 0cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.80 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/500 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 gr (1.32 lb) 618 gr (1.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 785
Other
Battery life - 550 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $500 $1,000