Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX90V
80 Imaging
46 Features
34 Overall
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91 Imaging
43 Features
63 Overall
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Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX90V Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
- 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
- Released January 2016
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
- 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Released April 2015

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX90V Overview
In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Canon SX420 IS and Sony HX90V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX420 IS (20MP) and the HX90V (18MP) is pretty similar and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX420 IS was revealed 9 months after the HX90V which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX90V being a Compact camera.
Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short overview of how the SX420 IS grades versus the HX90V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX90V Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX420 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V. The full galleries are provided at Canon SX420 IS Gallery and Sony HX90V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Sony HX90V
SX420 IS | HX90V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2016 | ![]() | April 2015 | More modern by 9 months |
Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Canon SX420 IS
HX90V | SX420 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Sony HX90V
SX420 IS | HX90V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX90V Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SX420 IS features outer measurements of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") and a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Sony HX90V has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX420 IS and Sony HX90V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the SX420 IS compared to the HX90V.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX420 IS and HX90V is 80 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX90V Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over technical specs. The picture here will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX420 IS and HX90V.
As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Canon SX420 IS to deliver greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern SX420 IS will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX90V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony HX90V Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2016-01-05 | 2015-04-14 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | DIGIC 4+ | Bionz X |
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 | 20 megapixel | 18 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 5152 x 3864 | 4896 x 3672 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-1008mm (42.0x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.5-6.6 | f/3.5-6.4 |
Macro focusing distance | 0cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 638k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.5x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 0.5 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) |
Flash options | Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off | Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, XAVC S |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 325g (0.72 pounds) | 245g (0.54 pounds) |
Dimensions | 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") | 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" 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 photos | 360 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-11LH | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch cost | $299 | $440 |