Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
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| I own it | I want it | I had it |
The 12MP Canon Powershot SX20 IS is the successor to the SX10 IS but constitutes only a fairly minor upgrade. It is essentially the same camera (both have a 28-560mm equivalent lens) with a slightly increased megapixel count (12.1 vs 10 MP) and a new 720p HD video mode. Lens, screen and most other items on the spec sheet remain unchanged. As such, the camera is the latest incarnation of Canon's popular series of superzoom cameras that can trace its ancestry right back to the PowerShot S1 IS of 2004.
Like its predecessor the SX20 IS uses CCD technology to capture its images. When we tested it we found that the SX20 IS is one of the best performers amongst its competition across the ISO range, both in terms of performance and responsiveness. Its metering is excellent and the output features natural colors and very good sharpness across the frame.
| Body type | SLR-like (bridge) |
| Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 |
| Effective pixels | 12 megapixels |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) |
| Sensor type | CCD |
| ISO | Auto, 80 ,100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 |
| Focal length (equiv.) | 28–560 mm |
| Optical zoom | 20× |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 2.5″ |
| Screen dots | 230,000 |
| Min shutter speed | 15 sec |
| Max shutter speed | 1/3200 sec |
| Format | H.264 |
| Storage types | SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 600 g (1.32 lb / 21.16 oz) |
| Dimensions | 128 x 88 x 87 mm (5.04 x 3.46 x 3.43″) |
The SX20 IS a solid performer that combines SLR-like styling, extensive manual controls and a good HD video mode. If you don't find it too large and can live with the, compared to some rivals, slightly shorter zoom you cannot go wrong with the Canon.
Good for: Photographers who like to use the viewfinder and set their shooting parameters manually
Not so good for: Maximum zoom range applications such as shooting birds in the sky
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Gold Award
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73%
dpreview score
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Canon PowerShot SX20IS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-Inch Articulating LCD | $549.95 |
PowerShot SX20 IS 12.1 Megapixel 20x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom 2.5" Vari-Angle LCD | $320.00 |
Canon PowerShot SX20IS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-Inch Articulating LCD | $549.95 |
Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom | $648.88 |
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS 16.0 MP Digital Camera (Old Model) with 16x Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom with 3.0-Inch LCD | $115.49 |
Canon PowerShot SX510 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 30x Optical Zoom and 1080p Full-HD Video Bundle + 8GB Card + Battery + Tripod + Case | $239.00 |
Canon PowerShot SX280 12MP Digital Camera with 20x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom with 3-Inch LCD (Red) | Too low to display |
PowerShot SX20 IS 12.1 Megapixel 20x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom 2.5" Vari-Angle LCD | $320.00 |
Canon PowerShot SX510 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 30x Optical Zoom and 1080p Full-HD Video Bundle + 16GB Card + Battery + Tripod + Case | $244.00 |
Canon PowerShot SX120IS 10MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Images Stabilized Zoom and 3-inch LCD | $149.95 |
Canon Powershot SX110IS 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) | $649.99 |
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Image Stabilized Zoom 25mm Wide-Angle Lens and 1080p Full-HD Video (Black) Super Bundle- Includes camera, 16 GB SDHC Memory Card, BP-6L Battery Pack, Carrying Case, SD USB Card Reader | $229.00 |
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