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Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX20V

Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Launched January 2016
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX10V
  • New Model is Sony HX30V
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Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX20V Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Canon SX420 IS and Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX420 IS (20MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is very close and they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX420 IS was unveiled 3 years later than the HX20V and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SX420 IS matches up vs the HX20V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Sony HX20V

 SX420 IS HX20V 
ReleasedJanuary 2016July 2012Fresher by 43 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Canon SX420 IS

 HX20V SX420 IS 
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Sony HX20V

 SX420 IS HX20V 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX420 IS offers exterior measurements of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Sony HX20V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX420 IS and Sony HX20V in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SX420 IS versus the HX20V.

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SX420 IS and HX20V is 80 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing only by viewing technical specs. The graphic underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX420 IS and HX20V.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can expect to see the Canon SX420 IS to result in greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The more modern SX420 IS provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX420 IS
Portrait photography with Sony HX20V
44
focusing manually
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
45
has manual focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Street photography advice
Sony HX20V Street photography advice
52
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (254g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Sports photography camera
41
long zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
max frames per second low (0.5 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (195 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Travel photography camera
61
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (1008mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (195 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than others in class (254g)
megapixel count good (18MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Landscape photography camera
47
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery power (195 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
50
has manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Vlogging factors
Sony HX20V Vlogging factors
29
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
34
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (254 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic port
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Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX420 IS and Sony HX20V
 Canon PowerShot SX420 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-01-05 2012-07-20
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4+ BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5152 x 3864 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.6 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 0.5fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325 grams (0.72 lbs) 254 grams (0.56 lbs)
Dimensions 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 195 photographs 320 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-11LH NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $299 $397