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Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?

Started Feb 18, 2021 | Discussions
The Point and Shoot Pro
The Point and Shoot Pro Veteran Member • Posts: 3,029
Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
2

What does everyone here think of this camera?  positives - negatives?

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Canon PowerShot A570 IS Kodak DC220 Fujifilm X10 Fujifilm X-S1 Nikon Coolpix P1000 +5 more
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
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I2K4
I2K4 Senior Member • Posts: 1,441
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
1

kojack wrote:

What does everyone here think of this camera? positives - negatives?

I'd suggest you look up some old reviews and a manual. The SX20 was the fairly quick successor to the SX10 I own and still use, nearly identical except that it went from 10mpx to 12mpx sensor and to 720p video.

Pro: it's been quite durable. It uses ordinary or rechargeable C batteries. Its 560mm EFL is enough zoom for me. The CCD sensor output still has its fans, and Canon's JPEG color output is very good relative to other brands. It has full manual controls and saves one "Custom" mode, the Canon menu and navigation are generally praised, and the control wheel is very usable. Shortcut button can be set to "back button focus" AFL or other. The EVF and rear screen resolutions are "good enough" and articulated rear screen is great for shooting at angles or on tripods. I was able to buy a filter adapter for a CPL.

Con: The larger sensor may add a bit to SX20, but I don't shoot over 400 ISO. Like most bridge "sunny day zoomers" the lens is slow: wide open at EFL 28mm it's f/2.7, but over 35mm that's f/3.2 - f/4.5, and over 180mm to 432mm it's at f/5.0 and then on to f5/7 - this makes zoomed hand holding on an overcast day impossible. (Later Canon zoomers use the NR to push up the ISO and speed up the shutter, but I'm not wild about the fingerpainted JPEG output.) It does not shoot native RAW, but CHDK remedies that.

I use my SX10 with the CHDK hack exclusive to Powershots, adding good RAW / DNG output and too many other enhancements to list. I do recall some comment at the time that because of SX20's additional resource requirements on the same platform, CHDK had some problems with some of its functions. I don't recall any complaints that the unhacked SX20 had other issues or recalls.

For a higher price, if I had to replace my SX10 for some reason, I'd be looking at the Panasonic FZ200 , for similar telephoto with f/2.8 throughout the zoom range and native RAW. It does give up some on JPEG color output and clumsier settings menu/navigation.

The Point and Shoot Pro
OP The Point and Shoot Pro Veteran Member • Posts: 3,029
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
1

I2K4 wrote:

kojack wrote:

What does everyone here think of this camera? positives - negatives?

I'd suggest you look up some old reviews and a manual. The SX20 was the fairly quick successor to the SX10 I own and still use, nearly identical except that it went from 10mpx to 12mpx sensor and to 720p video.

Pro: it's been quite durable. It uses ordinary or rechargeable C batteries. Its 560mm EFL is enough zoom for me. The CCD sensor output still has its fans, and Canon's JPEG color output is very good relative to other brands. It has full manual controls and saves one "Custom" mode, the Canon menu and navigation are generally praised, and the control wheel is very usable. Shortcut button can be set to "back button focus" AFL or other. The EVF and rear screen resolutions are "good enough" and articulated rear screen is great for shooting at angles or on tripods. I was able to buy a filter adapter for a CPL.

Con: The larger sensor may add a bit to SX20, but I don't shoot over 400 ISO. Like most bridge "sunny day zoomers" the lens is slow: wide open at EFL 28mm it's f/2.7, but over 35mm that's f/3.2 - f/4.5, and over 180mm to 432mm it's at f/5.0 and then on to f5/7 - this makes zoomed hand holding on an overcast day impossible. (Later Canon zoomers use the NR to push up the ISO and speed up the shutter, but I'm not wild about the fingerpainted JPEG output.) It does not shoot native RAW, but CHDK remedies that.

I use my SX10 with the CHDK hack exclusive to Powershots, adding good RAW / DNG output and too many other enhancements to list. I do recall some comment at the time that because of SX20's additional resource requirements on the same platform, CHDK had some problems with some of its functions. I don't recall any complaints that the unhacked SX20 had other issues or recalls.

For a higher price, if I had to replace my SX10 for some reason, I'd be looking at the Panasonic FZ200 , for similar telephoto with f/2.8 throughout the zoom range and native RAW. It does give up some on JPEG color output and clumsier settings menu/navigation.

Thank you for the information.  How much would you pay in Canadian dollars for one?  There is one listed in our local classifieds website and I may grab it.

 The Point and Shoot Pro's gear list:The Point and Shoot Pro's gear list
Canon PowerShot A570 IS Kodak DC220 Fujifilm X10 Fujifilm X-S1 Nikon Coolpix P1000 +5 more
I2K4
I2K4 Senior Member • Posts: 1,441
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
1

It's hard to price not knowing the condition it's in and wear on internal mechanisms, you might check eBay, Kijiji, etc. including the the later SX models like 30 through 40 - the series took a jump up with SX50.,  I've never bought used, but if I knew it was good I'd guess $50 to $75 or so.  No proprietary battery and the time/date one is cheap, so could be a fun unit.

The Point and Shoot Pro
OP The Point and Shoot Pro Veteran Member • Posts: 3,029
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
1

I2K4 wrote:

It's hard to price not knowing the condition it's in and wear on internal mechanisms, you might check eBay, Kijiji, etc. including the the later SX models like 30 through 40 - the series took a jump up with SX50., I've never bought used, but if I knew it was good I'd guess $50 to $75 or so. No proprietary battery and the time/date one is cheap, so could be a fun unit.

That was my guess too.  They are asking 100.00 but it will sit for that.  I may offer them 60 for it and see what happens.

 The Point and Shoot Pro's gear list:The Point and Shoot Pro's gear list
Canon PowerShot A570 IS Kodak DC220 Fujifilm X10 Fujifilm X-S1 Nikon Coolpix P1000 +5 more
RedFox88 Forum Pro • Posts: 30,738
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
1

kojack wrote:

What does everyone here think of this camera?

It is a very old camera

positives - negatives?

jshen808
jshen808 Forum Pro • Posts: 16,067
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
1

RedFox88 wrote:

kojack wrote:

What does everyone here think of this camera?

It is a very old camera

positives - negatives?

..

Yes, seems the SX20 camera was first announced in August 2009.

Cheers!

-- hide signature --

Cheers, John
(Feel free to download my pictures)
*** Photography is about fun ***
*** No response = ignore list ***

 jshen808's gear list:jshen808's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Panasonic FZ80/FZ82
The Point and Shoot Pro
OP The Point and Shoot Pro Veteran Member • Posts: 3,029
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
1

RedFox88 wrote:

kojack wrote:

What does everyone here think of this camera?

It is a very old camera

positives - negatives?

I know.  That's not what I asked.

 The Point and Shoot Pro's gear list:The Point and Shoot Pro's gear list
Canon PowerShot A570 IS Kodak DC220 Fujifilm X10 Fujifilm X-S1 Nikon Coolpix P1000 +5 more
jshen808
jshen808 Forum Pro • Posts: 16,067
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
2

kojack wrote:

RedFox88 wrote:

kojack wrote:

What does everyone here think of this camera?

It is a very old camera

positives - negatives?

I know. That's not what I asked.

..

In my opinion,

the price of the used camera,

is depending on it's condition.

If it's well taken care of, like new,

then maybe it's worth the $100.

Cheers!

-- hide signature --

Cheers, John
(Feel free to download my pictures)
*** Photography is about fun ***
*** No response = ignore list ***

 jshen808's gear list:jshen808's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Panasonic FZ80/FZ82
The Point and Shoot Pro
OP The Point and Shoot Pro Veteran Member • Posts: 3,029
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
1

jshen808 wrote:

kojack wrote:

RedFox88 wrote:

kojack wrote:

What does everyone here think of this camera?

It is a very old camera

positives - negatives?

I know. That's not what I asked.

..

In my opinion,

the price of the used camera,

is depending on it's condition.

If it's well taken care of, like new,

then maybe it's worth the $100.

Cheers!

Something to have some fun with.  Damn, so many people are way to serious.

 The Point and Shoot Pro's gear list:The Point and Shoot Pro's gear list
Canon PowerShot A570 IS Kodak DC220 Fujifilm X10 Fujifilm X-S1 Nikon Coolpix P1000 +5 more
RedFox88 Forum Pro • Posts: 30,738
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
3

kojack wrote:

RedFox88 wrote:

kojack wrote:

What does everyone here think of this camera?

It is a very old camera

positives - negatives?

I know. That's not what I asked.

It is what you asked  . I think it’s a very old camera 🙄

The Point and Shoot Pro
OP The Point and Shoot Pro Veteran Member • Posts: 3,029
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
1

RedFox88 wrote:

kojack wrote:

RedFox88 wrote:

kojack wrote:

What does everyone here think of this camera?

It is a very old camera

positives - negatives?

I know. That's not what I asked.

It is what you asked . I think it’s a very old camera 🙄

NO.  I asked about the positives and negatives.

 The Point and Shoot Pro's gear list:The Point and Shoot Pro's gear list
Canon PowerShot A570 IS Kodak DC220 Fujifilm X10 Fujifilm X-S1 Nikon Coolpix P1000 +5 more
jshen808
jshen808 Forum Pro • Posts: 16,067
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
2

kojack wrote:

jshen808 wrote:

kojack wrote:

RedFox88 wrote:

kojack wrote:

What does everyone here think of this camera?

It is a very old camera

positives - negatives?

I know. That's not what I asked.

..

In my opinion,

the price of the used camera,

is depending on it's condition.

If it's well taken care of, like new,

then maybe it's worth the $100.

Cheers!

Something to have some fun with. Damn, so many people are way to serious.

..

What you say is true!

But cameras can be serious fun

Cheers!

-- hide signature --

Cheers, John
(Feel free to download my pictures)
*** Photography is about fun ***
*** No response = ignore list ***

 jshen808's gear list:jshen808's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Panasonic FZ80/FZ82
The Point and Shoot Pro
OP The Point and Shoot Pro Veteran Member • Posts: 3,029
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
2

jshen808 wrote:

kojack wrote:

jshen808 wrote:

kojack wrote:

RedFox88 wrote:

kojack wrote:

What does everyone here think of this camera?

It is a very old camera

positives - negatives?

I know. That's not what I asked.

..

In my opinion,

the price of the used camera,

is depending on it's condition.

If it's well taken care of, like new,

then maybe it's worth the $100.

Cheers!

Something to have some fun with. Damn, so many people are way to serious.

..

What you say is true!

But cameras can be serious fun

Cheers!

They are!!!.  I love them.

 The Point and Shoot Pro's gear list:The Point and Shoot Pro's gear list
Canon PowerShot A570 IS Kodak DC220 Fujifilm X10 Fujifilm X-S1 Nikon Coolpix P1000 +5 more
marksee Contributing Member • Posts: 969
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
3

After reading these replies I'm surprised and curious why no one suggested a newer model, especially if you are considering spending up to $100.  I didn't see anything in your OP about an interest in another model. You can find the SX 40 in that range and have a much more sophisticated camera. I had both and now have the X50. The SX40 was great and in my opinion just about as good as the 50 and far superior to the SX 10 or 20.

The Point and Shoot Pro
OP The Point and Shoot Pro Veteran Member • Posts: 3,029
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
3

marksee wrote:

After reading these replies I'm surprised and curious why no one suggested a newer model, especially if you are considering spending up to $100. I didn't see anything in your OP about an interest in another model. You can find the SX 40 in that range and have a much more sophisticated camera. I had both and now have the X50. The SX40 was great and in my opinion just about as good as the 50 and far superior to the SX 10 or 20.

Really, because this one is available locally.   And I am just starting to collect point and shoots from all time frames.  From film to digital to mobile phones.   A little project I'm working on.

 The Point and Shoot Pro's gear list:The Point and Shoot Pro's gear list
Canon PowerShot A570 IS Kodak DC220 Fujifilm X10 Fujifilm X-S1 Nikon Coolpix P1000 +5 more
bgreg
bgreg Contributing Member • Posts: 641
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
1

I have both the sx10 and sx40 .  My 7 yr. old grandson uses the sx10 and has surprised me with some very nice images. He sets up the tripod and camera in the living room window . The squirells can't make a move without being captured with the sx10.  Both cameras are easily worth what they are going for these days. There is no noticeable size or weight difference . The only downside to the sx40 is the proprietary battery and the viewfinder that is like looking down  the tube from a toilet paper roll. The viewfinder on the sx10 is much nicer. I can't understand why canon messed up the viewfinder on the sx40 like they did. Someone should have gotten the boot over that.

bgreg
bgreg Contributing Member • Posts: 641
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
1

thats "squirrel"

I2K4
I2K4 Senior Member • Posts: 1,441
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
1

1gregory1 wrote:

thats "squirrel"

Thought it might be a cute song and dance group, like the Shirelles.  Alvin and the Chipmunks used to be like that.  Fun to have in the back yard.

keric205 New Member • Posts: 3
Re: Powershot SX20 IS Thoughts?
3

For me I still use it cos it takes great sunsets, it starts up quite quick for a big old camera and has an excellent viewfinder, feels solidly built and if you ever want to take video has a very easy function button, and it looks well built. It also takes a 52 filter and polariser which are quite cheap. The flash is quite powerful.

Against: its quite heavy although I suppose a man wouldnt find it so much so, but I dont usually put it round my neck. The big lens uses up batteries very quickly if you do much zooming so extra packs of 4 adds to the weight you carry. The pictures at the high end of the zoom are quite soft, and you'll need a tripod if you want to really use the maximum length or in low light. However I was quite pleased with the pics i took in Athens 2 years ago. However despite the big lens i find it a bit too slow to use for action photography. But that may be my lack of skill!

BTW, I havnt found a way to install chkdk on it. From what I've read on the net it seems quite complicated and techy,  apparently you cant boot from the SD card.

kerica

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