• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 27.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Sony HX200V

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $480 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 600 vs 450 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony HX200V advantages over Canon SX20 IS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • More telephoto lens reach
    810 mm vs 560 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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
  • More pixels
    18.2 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Extremely versatile superzoom that covers everything from wide angle to mega-telephoto; Portable design doesn't sacrifice comfort; Detailed images thanks to high-resolution 18.2MP BSI CMOS sensor.

  • Slow to use overall; Poor image quality at high ISOs; Images not as sharp or as bright at full telephoto as we had hoped.

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 HX200V
Canon SX10 IS
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • 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
Sony HX200V
Canon SX1 IS
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • RAW file ability

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 HX200V
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Sony HX100V

Canon SX20 IS
Sony HX100V
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Hot shoe
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
Sony HX200V
Sony HX100V
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Panasonic FZ60

Canon SX20 IS
Panasonic FZ60
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $270
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Lighter weight
Sony HX200V
Panasonic FZ60
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $270
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
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