• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
  • Pentax Optio VS20
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon SX10 IS
SX10 IS vs SX20 IS
 
Successor: Canon SX30 IS
SX20 IS vs SX30 IS
 
General
Model Number: SX20 IS VS20
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: EVF Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $399.99 $249.95
Street Price: $399.99 $105.84
Date Available: 2009-09-15 2012-02-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 23.8 oz (676 g)
includes batteries
8.3 oz (235 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.9 x 3.5 x 3.4 in.
(124 x 88 x 87 mm)
4.4 x 2.4 x 1.5 in.
(112 x 61 x 38 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 16.0
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/2.33 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 28.198mm2 (6.13mm x 4.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 1.33 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG  
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
3840 x 2160 (8.3 MP, 16:9),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3072 x 2304 (7.1 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.1 1.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1280x720 (30p/​15p)
640x480 (30p/​15p)
320x240 (30p/​15p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) AVI (Motion JPG)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens smc PENTAX zoom lens, 11 elements, 8 groups, 1 aspheric element
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 560mm 28 - 560mm
Focal Length (actual): 5 - 100mm 5 - 100mm
Zoom Ratio: 20.00x 20.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) / f/5.7(T) to f/8.0 f/3.1 (wide) / f4.8 (tele) - ???
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
40 cm to Infinity
15.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 0 - 10 cm
0.0 - 3.9 in
1 - 20 cm
0.4 - 7.9 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x 7.2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection Contrast Detection: 93 point AF, Spot AF, Auto Tracking AF, Macro, Super Macro, Infinity Landscape, Manual Focus
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution:   n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 460,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (*special scene mode) Auto: 100-1600 (auto range adjustable), Digital SR 100-6400, Manual: 100-6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Manual
Shutter Speed Range: 1/3200 - 15 sec 1/2500 - 4 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE Multi
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes No
Shutter Priority: Yes No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Aquarium, Night Scene, Indoor, ISO 3200, Color Accent, Color Swap), Super Macro, Night Snapshot, Stitch Assist, Natural Skin Tone, Handheld Night Snap (5M), Night Scene Portrait, Night Scene, Digital Panorama (2M per frame), Landscape, Blue Sky, Sunset, Flower, Digital SR (ISO 3200-6400 5M), Kids, Pet, Portrait, Food, Fireworks, Surf & Snow, Sport, Fisheye, Sketch, Miniature Filter, Text, Frame Composite (3M)
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 10s, 2s, Remote 3s seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro Auto, Flash Off, Flash On, Auto + Redeye, On + Redeye
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1.6-22 ft./50cm-6.8m (W), 3.3-12 ft./1.0-3.7m (T) 17 feet (wide, auto ISO), 11 feet (tele, auto ISO)
Max Flash Sync: 1/500  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot-Shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) AVI (Motion JPG)
Included Memory: No memory included 16.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   Internal
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional infrared
Connections (extended):    
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.26  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.1 1.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 6
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.54 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.52 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.440 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.84 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.072 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 2.4 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 2.2 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.3 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 600 shots (NiMH AA) 200 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 4 x AA Proprietary D-LI122
Usable Battery Types: Alkaline disposeables, NiMH rechargeables Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 4 x AA Alkaline disposeables 1 x Proprietary D-LI122 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM Software CD-ROM S-SW122
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP2/Vista, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization, Articulating LCD, Smart Auto, Face/Motion Detection, Intelligent Contrast Correction, HD Movies. Sensor-shift image stabilization, Dual shutter release/zoom buttons, 720p HD movies, Optional IR remote, Digital level. Available in Noble Black or Brilliant White.