• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 365.0mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A35
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 A35
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: EVF SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $399.99 $699.99
Street Price: $399.99 $567.17
Date Available: 2009-09-15 2011-08-31
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 23.8 oz (676 g)
includes batteries
24.5 oz (694 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.9 x 3.5 x 3.4 in.
(124 x 88 x 87 mm)
4.9 x 3.6 x 3.3 in.
(124 x 92 x 85 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 16.2
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 365.04mm2 (23.40mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 4.76 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   74
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   23.3
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   12.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   763
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)
4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9),
3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other),
3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other),
7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other),
4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.1 5.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1920x1080 (60i)
1440x1080 (30)
640x480 (30)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) AVCHD, MP4
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 560mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 5 - 100mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 20.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) / f/5.7(T) to f/8.0 f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range: 0 - 10 cm
0.0 - 3.9 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes No
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local.
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1.15M-dot LCD (380K-dot time-multiplexed RGB), 100% coverage, 1.1x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution:    
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.73x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   1.10x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 11.8x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   12800
Minimum ISO (native):   100
ISO Settings: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (*special scene mode) Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500 – 9900K with 19-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/3200 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE 49-zone Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
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, Portrait, Sports Action, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night view, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), Night Portrait, Picture Effect, Sweep Panorama (2D/3D)
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 2, 10; 3 or 5 after 10 sec 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, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 10.0 m / 32.8 ft.
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1.6-22 ft./50cm-6.8m (W), 3.3-12 ft./1.0-3.7m (T) Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/500 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot-Shoe Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) AVCHD, MP4
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional Wireless (RMT-DSLR1) or Wired (RM-S1AM/RM-L1AM)
Connections (extended):   Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.26 0.53
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.54
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited 8
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.1 5.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 12
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 0.22 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 0.217 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.84 seconds 0.48 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.072 seconds 0.102 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Wide-area full AF lag = 0.214s
Startup Time: 2.4 seconds 0.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 2.2 seconds 0.4 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.3 seconds 3.3 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 600 shots (NiMH AA)  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   420 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 4 x AA Proprietary NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Alkaline disposeables, NiMH rechargeables Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 4 x AA Alkaline disposeables 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 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 (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR)
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP2/Vista, Mac OS Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization, Articulating LCD, Smart Auto, Face/Motion Detection, Intelligent Contrast Correction, HD Movies. Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization, 1080i HD Video, Auto+, Picture Effects, Multi-frame NR, Hand-held Twilight, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama, Smile Shutter, DOF Preview, 5.5fps Full-res Burst Mode (7fps in Cropped "Telezoom" 8MP Mode).