• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 13.6 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-W300 advantages over Canon D20

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.80 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.9
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Canon D20 advantages over Sony DSC-W300

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Fast startup
    ~1.60 vs 2.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    461k 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
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene

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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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

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Buy the Sony DSC-W300

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Buy the Canon D20
Canon D20

Review Excerpt

  • Good still and video image quality; Attractive, comfortable design; 3-inch LCD monitor that's easy to view in even bright sunlight.

  • Feature set lags behind current (2013) models; Performance average at best; Poor wide-angle optical quality; High chromatic aberration and corner softness.

  • Read our Canon D20 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX150

Sony DSC-W300
Panasonic DMC-FX150
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Sony DSC-W300 vs Panasonic DMC-FX150

Canon D20
Panasonic DMC-FX150
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon D20 vs Panasonic DMC-FX150

Compared to Fujifilm F60fd

Sony DSC-W300
Fujifilm F60fd
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $300
  • 1/1.6 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony DSC-W300 vs Fujifilm F60fd

Canon D20
Fujifilm F60fd
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Fast startup
  • $300
  • 1/1.6 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon D20 vs Fujifilm F60fd

Compared to Canon SD990 IS

Sony DSC-W300
Canon SD990 IS
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-W300 vs Canon SD990 IS

Canon D20
Canon SD990 IS
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • HDMI out
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon D20 vs Canon SD990 IS

Compared to Fujifilm XP150

Sony DSC-W300
Fujifilm XP150
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $272
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Sony DSC-W300 vs Fujifilm XP150

Canon D20
Fujifilm XP150
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $272
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Canon D20 vs Fujifilm XP150

Compared to Canon D30

Sony DSC-W300
Canon D30
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-W300 vs Canon D30

Canon D20
Canon D30
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Canon D20 vs Canon D30

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