• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Sony A6400

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 600 vs 410 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 87 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A6400 advantages over Canon SX20 IS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.80 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    59 mm vs 86 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    6 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.54 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Sony A6400

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
Sony A6400
Canon SX10 IS
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life

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
Sony A6400
Canon SX1 IS
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher max flash sync

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
Sony A6400
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Fujifilm X-T100

Canon SX20 IS
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Sony A6400
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Fast startup
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony A6100

Canon SX20 IS
Sony A6100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $673
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6400
Sony A6100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $673
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
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