• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 156.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Nikon S5200

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    560 mm vs 156 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 600 vs 160 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon S5200 advantages over Canon SX20 IS

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 86 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    146g vs 676g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX10 IS

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SX10 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Nikon S5200
Canon SX10 IS
  • $369
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon SX1 IS

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SX1 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Shoots 1080p video
Nikon S5200
Canon SX1 IS
  • $369
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Canon SX20 IS
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Fast startup
Nikon S5200
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $369
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Sony TX200V

Canon SX20 IS
Sony TX200V
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Touchscreen
Nikon S5200
Sony TX200V
  • $369
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sony TF1

Canon SX20 IS
Sony TF1
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Nikon S5200
Sony TF1
  • $369
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking
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