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Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

PRO rating
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  1. User ratingsUser ratingsratings of product added by Productz users
  2. Expert ratingsExpert ratingsexperts ratings from editorial reviews
  3. Consumer ratingsConsumer ratingsratings from the biggest online stores worldwide
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  1. Excellent
  2. Good
  3. Poor
  4. Average
3.9
based on all reviews
User ratings:
38
4.0 out of 5
38 user ratings
5 stars
34 %
4 stars
34 %
3 stars
31 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Editorial reviews:
13
  1. See more
3.8 out of 5
9 user ratings
5 stars
11 %
4 stars
77 %
3 stars
0 %
2 stars
11 %
1 stars
0 %
Read editorial reviews

Pros

  • performance and responsiveness
  • metering is excellent and the output features natural colors and very good sharpness across
  • Full manual control of stills is great

Cons

  • None of these covers feel as flimsy as on competing models
  • it too large and can live with the
  • not bright in daylight2216-80 f4 lens quality

Key specs

  • CCD
  • 6.17x4.55 mm
  • 12 Mpx
  • 4000, 3000 px
  • 5.7
  • Continuous, Single
  • 2.5 in
  • no

Compare technical data of the product to its category

Canon

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS - Pros & Cons

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Pros

  • performance and responsiveness
  • metering is excellent and the output features natural colors and very good sharpness across
  • Full manual control of stills is great
  • Everything looks great from the SX20
  • better images and better low light capability
  • Loud
  • present
  • clear and stereo
  • of high-quality plastic makes a solid impression and is well manufactured
  • The HD quality shots were quite good even in low light
  • zoom rocker is easy to reach and works evenly over the entire zoom range

Cons

  • None of these covers feel as flimsy as on competing models
  • it too large and can live with the
  • not bright in daylight2216-80 f4 lens quality
  • Canon SX20 IS is not the highest resolution Small Sensor camera
  • doesn't have any connections for external microphones and headphones
  • Canon SX20 IS have Image Stabilization
  • Canon SX20 IS have Touch Screen
  • Does the Canon SX20 IS have Weather Sealing
  • not a DSLR that does video
  • camera processing- produced horrible images with no fine detail
  • great video tech info

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS - Technical Overview

PoorAverageGoodExcellent
IconScreen size
2.5 in
Best:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710
Screen size: 6.7 in
IconISO maximum
1600
Best:
Pentax KP
ISO maximum: 819200
IconEffective pixels
12 Mpx
Best:
Hasselblad H6D-100c
Effective pixels: 100 Mpx
IconMax resolution
4000 x 3000 px
Best:
Leica M11
Max resolution: 9528 x 6328 px

Canon - Video Reviews (9)

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Canon PowerShot SX20 IS - Full Specifications

Icon
Sensor
Sensor typeCCD
Sensor size0.24 in
Sensor photo detectors12.0 Mpx
Effective pixels12.0 Mpx
Image ratio w:h
  • 4:3
  • 16:9
Max resolution4000 x 3000 px
Other resolutions
  • 3840x2160
  • 3264x2448
  • 2592x1944
  • 1600x1200
  • 640x480
  • 320x240
ProcessorDIGIC 4
Icon
Optics and focus
Optical zoom20.0 x
Digital zoom4.0 x
Minimum aperture2.8
Maximum aperture5.7
Focal length equiv28 - 560
Autofocus
  • Continuous
  • Single
Manual focusyes
Auto Focus (AF) assist beamyes
Macro focus range0.0 in
Number of focus points9
Image stabiliser
  • Optical
  • Electronic
Filter threadno
Folded opticsno
Icon
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed15.0 s
Maximum shutter speed1.0 s
Shutter priorityyes
Aperture priorityyes
Manual exposure modeyes
Exposure compensation plus2
Exposure compensation minus-2
Expousure compensation steps1/3
Histogramyes
Subject / scene modesyes
Built-in flashyes
Flash range6.8
Flash modesSlow Sync
External flashyes
Continuous drive0.7 fps
Scene modes
  • Beach
  • Close-up
  • Fireworks
  • Night landscape
  • Night portrait
  • Panorama
  • Portrait
  • Landscape
Self-timeryes
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
3D supportno
Self-timer options
  • 2
  • 10
  • custom
Icon
Audio features
Microphone typeStereo
Icon
Dimensions
Weight19.75 oz
Width4.88 in
Height3.48 in
Depth3.42 in
Icon
Power
Battery technology
Nickel-Metal Hydride
Rechargeable batteryno
Number of batteries supported4
Icon
Other features
Timelapse recordingno
GPSno
Orientation sensoryes
Icon
Image
ISO
  • 80
  • 100
  • 200
  • 400
  • 800
  • 1600
  • AUTO
ISO Autoyes
ISO minimum80
ISO maximum1600
Maximum image resolution4000 x 3000 px
White balance presets6
White balance modes
  • Auto
  • Cloudy
  • Daylight
  • Fluorescent
  • Tungsten
Custom white balanceyes
Supported image file formatsJPEG
Photo effects
  • Black&White
  • Neutral
  • Sepia
  • Vivid
Image stabilizeryes
Image stabilization typeOptical
Uncompressed formatNo
Icon
Screen and viewfinder
Screen size2.5 in
Articulated LCDyes
Screen technologyLCD
Screen dots230000
Touch screenno
Live viewyes
ViewfinderElectronic
Icon
Videography features
Maximum resolution1280 x 720 px
Video recordingyes
HD typeHD
Supported video file formatsMOV
Camera playbackThumbnails
Max frame rate (highest resolution)30.0 fps
Motion JPEG frame rate30.0 fps
Icon
Design
Body typeCompact
Colour of productBlack
Environmentally sealedno
Icon
Storage
Compatible memory cards
  • MMC
  • SD
  • SDHC
Storage types
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • MMC
  • MMC Plus
  • HC MMC Plus
Icon
Connectivity
HDMIyes
HDMI ports quantity1
USB version2.0
Remote controlNo
PictBridgeyes
NFCno
Wireless network (Wi-Fi)no
Bluetoothno
AV outputyes

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS - Q&A

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Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon - Editorial Reviews (13)

3.8
Based on 13 reviews
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon SX20 IS Review
Imaging Resource logo
Imaging Resource
Published: 30.03.2010
Canon SX20 IS Review
4.0

Canon SX20 IS review, find out how the SX20 IS stacks up against the competition in our real-world review with in-depth image quality comparisons.

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Review | Photography Blog
photographyblog.com logo
photographyblog.com
Published: 08.09.2009
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Review | Photography Blog
4.0

Expert review of the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS camera with sample photos, test shots, videos and more...

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Review - Steve's Digicams
steves-digicams.com logo
steves-digicams.com
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Review - Steve's Digicams

Review posted 10/05/2009Canon has upgraded the popular SX10 IS from last year with the all new SX20 IS. This powerful digicam offers the latest in Canon technologies, like a 12-megapixel image sensor, DIGIC 4 processor, lens-shift optical image stabilization, SmartAuto exposure mode, i-Contrast, Face

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Compact Camera Group Test: SLR-like 'super zoom' cameras
DPReview logo
DPReview
Published: 06.07.2010
Compact Camera Group Test: SLR-like 'super zoom' cameras
3.8

It's now more than a year since we published our last superzoom group test and despite the hype surrounding mirrorless system cameras such as Micro Four Thirds or the Sony NEX, and the fact that entry level DSLRs are becoming more and more affordable, superzoom cameras are as popular with consumers as ever. It is easy to see why. The combination of a large zoom range from wideangle to super telephoto, DSLR-like ergonomics and an attractive price point guarantee that these cameras appeal to a very broad audience.

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
Photo Review logo
Photo Review
Published: 17.02.2012
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
4.3

A high-resolution, 20x zoom digicam that offers a wide range of adjustable controls plus 720p HD video recording with stereo soundtracks.Replacing the PowerShot SX10 IS at the top of Canon's super-zoom range, the PowerShot SX20 IS has higher resolution than its predecessor and includes the ability to record video clips in widescreen, high-definition (1280 x 720 pixel) format. Otherwise, little has changed in the new model. With its SLR-like styling and large hand-grip, the SX20 IS is targeted at photo enthusiasts who want a cheaper, more compact camera for travelling - or even everyday use.

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Cameralabs
Cameralabs logo
Cameralabs
Published: 09.03.2011
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Cameralabs

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Review | Photography Blog
photographyblog.com logo
photographyblog.com
Published: 08.09.2009
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Review | Photography Blog
4.0

World Exclusive! This is the first online review of the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS super-zoom camera. Featuring a 20x wide-angle zoom lens, 12 megapixels, 2.5 inch tilting LCD screen, electronic viewfinder, external flash hotshoe, HD video recording and full range of shooting modes, the compact Canon SX20 sounds like a thinking photographer's dream. Read our in-depth review of the Canon SX20 IS to find out if it lives up to expectations...

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
CNET logo
CNET
Published: 15.12.2009
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX20 IS digital camera
Good Gear Guide logo
Good Gear Guide
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS digital camera
4.5

This new Canon PowerShot has a huge 20x zoom and offers excellent low-light shooting

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon Powershot SX20 Review
Digital Photography School logo
Digital Photography School
Published: 03.12.2009
Canon Powershot SX20 Review

I’m fairly familiar with the PowerShot cameras so was keen to see a model with a maxi zoom lens. There is a lesser specked model — the Canon PowerShot SX120 IS — but I figured the adventurous might be curious about this more capable sibling. Now get this straight: the camera is a bit on

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon SX20 IS Review | Camera Decision
Camera Decision logo
Camera Decision
Published: 06.07.2010
Canon SX20 IS Review | Camera Decision
2.2

Canon SX20 IS is a 12.0MP Small Sensor Superzoom camera with a 1/2.3-inch sized CCD sensor and 28-560 mm F2.8-5.7 lens. Read our SX20 IS review to find its pros and cons.

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX20 IS: Digital Photography Review
DPReview logo
DPReview
Published: 06.07.2010
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS: Digital Photography Review
3.7

Expert news, reviews and videos of the latest digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and phones. Get answers to your questions in our photography forums.

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Canon PowerShot SX20 IS review
Expert Reviews logo
Expert Reviews
Published: 08.06.2010
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS review
4.0

A classy camera that puts in a solid performance, but lacks the stand-out features to push it into the lead