Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Digital Camera (12.1 Megapixel, 20x Optical Zoom) 2.5 inch LCD
Sunday, September 6th, 2009 at
6:45 pm
- 20x Zoom Lens, Equivalent to a 35mm Lens of 28-560mm
- 12.1 Megapixel Sensor
- Create Smooth, High Definition, Stereo Movies at the Touch of a Button
- Features Include: Optical Image Stabiliser, Face Detection Self-Timer, i-Contrast Exposure Analyser and Face and Object Detection
- USM (UltraSonicMotor) and VCM (Voice Coil Motor) technology for Fast, Silent Focusing and Zooming
The versatile 12.1 Megapixel PowerShot SX20 IS offers intelligent shooting power with a 20x wide-angle zoom, so you can really explore your creativity. Choose manual mode for full exposure and creative control or switch to Smart Auto for effortlessly great results across a wide range of shooting conditions. Either way a host of intelligent Canon technologies, including optical image stabilisation for blur free images even at super high zoom, ensure stunning pictures. What’s more you can quickly and easily shoot superb HD movies at the touch of a button…. more >>
Rating: 
(out of 21 reviews)
>>More about Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Digital Camera (12.1 Megapixel, 20x Optical Zoom) 2.5 inch LCD
Review by Mike for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Digital Camera (12.1 Megapixel, 20x Optical Zoom) 2.5 inch LCD
Rating:
I have owned a series of Canon cameras over the years, and at present I own an S2 IS, SX110 and this SX20. Compared to the S2 IS this camera is a lot bulkier but has a far longer zoom, better wide angle and more features, making it an obvious upgrade path.
I like the fact that Canon has kept to using AA batteries in this camera range, as they are universally available, plus if you buy a set of NiMH rechargeables their life goes on forever. I can recharge mine in about 1 hour.
The feature set of the S2 IS, already a good camera, is extended here to include such things as retention of shadow detail. This theoretically would allow a shot of the interior of a room with a bright window to retain detail of both the interior and exterior without use of flash. I would personally use bracketing in aperture priority mode, plus the software for HDR included with Corel Paint Shop Pro. The camera still sports two bracketing modes.
The zoom is a real feature of this camera, coupled with the rock-steady Image Stabilization (IS) that Canon does so well. Hand-held distant shots at 20x zoom are trivial to execute. Just think how much equipment you would have to carry around to achieve this with an SLR! Plus, if you want to sacrifice a little detail, you can use digital zoom to stretch the camera out to the equivalent of a 1000mm lens!
My criticisms are few, and are the only reason I hesitated about awarding 5* to this camera. The main one is the continuous mode shooting speed, which has dropped to about 1fps from the 2.5 that the S2 IS was capable of. On the plus side, once the lens has auto-focused with a half press of the shutter release, shutter lag is non-existent.
The lens cap is a bit of a problem: I dropped it from the camera a few times at first, and it really needs a loop attaching it to the strap or camera body.
Although you can display a mask on-screen, there is no native 3:2 resolution mode despite all those printers that use that format. Everything is geared to 4:3 or 16:9. That is, your computer or TV screen.
The viewfinder resolution is really low, much lower than the LCD display panel, and it would be useless for manual focusing. This is no improvement over the S2 IS, but better than the SX110/SX120 which has no viewfinder.
This is a camera to wear, not to pocket! It is heavy and I have not sourced a usable belt case both large enough for it, yet small enough not to look ridiculous. I will still carry my SX110 round in my pocket or on my belt most of the time, unless I need that extra feature set. On the other hand, with this camera you can shoot HD film footage, which makes the camcorder redundant.
I doubt if many purchasers will be disappointed by this camera, but the current SX120 is far more portable. If you want to try out HDR, need the extra telephoto and wide angle and don’t mind the extra weight and bulk, then this is an obvious choice.
Review by Mr. William Wallace for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Digital Camera (12.1 Megapixel, 20x Optical Zoom) 2.5 inch LCD
Rating:
As long as you do not use the Auto setting, and do not use ISO settings over 400iso, then a great camera with a sharp all in one lens. 28mm x 560mm, great zoom with better results than some interchangeable lenses for DSLRs.
Pros,
Good quality photo’s as long as you know it’s limitations. A2 & A4 no problem. As long as you do not have a habit of looking on a monitor zooming photo up to nit pick faults. Even 35mm film has it’s faults when zoomed up on a computer monitor.
Hot shoe for dedicated flashguns, as all built in flashes are poor at best.
Layout and menu easy to learn.
HD Movies, super quality plus,full zoom range allowed while recording.
Better at the job than even the Canon EOS 450D & 500D.
Image stabiliser good for full zoom shots hand held, very good!.
Takes AA cells, HDMI cells good for up to 600 pics “no flash used”.
Hood supplied.
Cons,
Focus hunts a bit in very dull or dark interiors, but all Digi Camera’s have this limitation too.
ISO quality poor above 400iso, noisy, but can be fixed with even paint shop pro, to print up to A4.
52mm thread on lens, is not a filter thread, but for keeping the lens cap on.
To use filters, buy a Lensmate adapter, for 58mm filters and buy a 58mm lens cap & 58mm screw on hood.
Some folk have screwed 52mm filters on with no damage, but can invalidate warranty if you do so and damage lens concentric thread for supplied 52mm lens cap.
Electronic Viewfinder, No way as good as a proper though the lens SLR/DSLR screen,but I can live with it, rather than lug extra lenses around, never mind the huge costs of buying DSLR Body plus 3 interchangeable lenses to get a range of 28mm – 560mm, with quality results.
Conclusion,
If you are happy with prints up to A2 or take a lot of Flash pictures and invest in a extra flashgun.
Then this Bridge Camera will do the job.
Recommended.
No more lugging heavy DSLR with interchangeable lenses.
Review by Geoffrey Turner for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Digital Camera (12.1 Megapixel, 20x Optical Zoom) 2.5 inch LCD
Rating:
I recently made the momentous decision (for me)that a DSLR, together with a collection of lenses was just too much hassle so I sold the lot and set about using the money to buy a more manageable alternative. The Canon Powershot SX20 IS seemed to have everything I needed – extremely well built, controls all the way from totally automatic to full manual and almost limitless variations that I haven’t yet had time to explore. It even has the added bonus of HD Video. The ususal downside of a “compact” is the size of the sensor but with 12.1 megapixels and very effective image stabilisation, I haven’t noticed a difference – I am an enthusiatic amateur, nothing more, and have no intention of producing wall-size prints – so far I’ve gone up to A4 size and the prints are brilliant. The lens is really excellent with a massive zoom and a great macro facility (Canon seem able to “do” macro really well) and the pictures I’ve taken are outstandingly clear. I have no regrets about the change but I will admit, after many, many years using SLRs, I’m still getting used to the digital viewfinder (hence only 4 stars); the flexible screen view is top class, however, and I am getting better and better at using it. A top class camera in every respect.
Review by Cambridge Ian for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Digital Camera (12.1 Megapixel, 20x Optical Zoom) 2.5 inch LCD
Rating:
Had this camera for 2 weeks – just came back from a weeks holiday and used it to take a couple of hundred shots plus some video’s.
I’ve owned quite a few digital camera’s over the years and my wife has a canon ixus – the quality of these little camera’s has always made me want to own a bigger canon and this one is certainly that – it is the size of a DSLR – but with a 20x zoom the lense has to sit somewhere!
Although I’ve tried a few of the settings out – not easy as Canon only provide the manual as a pdf – most of the photo’s I’ve taken have been on auto and the results have been good – including some shots taken at 20x zoom hand held – and they are universally good (to my eye at least)with good colour reproduction and no blurring.
One thing that is really impressive is the recording of HD video – the results are stunning – this camera will make my camcorder redundant. However you need a large and very quick sd card as video on the highest quality seeting eats memory, I’m currently looking for a fast 16 or 32gb card.
One thing that took me a while to work out was that you have to manually push the flash up – I’ve used sony prosumer camera’s for years and never had to do this – still once learned you do it without thinking – wish I had a manual to read! When using the flash though it really does light up a room.
On the downside – no memory card included, no HDMI cable in the box, the lens cap does not attach to the camera so I doubtless lose it and finding a decent case for it has been fruitless so far. The alkalines supplied are still going strong and I will swop them for a set of rechargables in due course – great though to be able to sling a set of AA’s in when out and about. The build whilst initially looking good has some issues – the doors on some of the flaps are not a great fit and will surely get worse with extended use.
As for value – not entirely sure about it – but for the 300 quid Amazon are selling it at it represents good value – although (@ the suggested £400) it is getting mighty close to a large range of DSLR camera’s.
So if you do buy budget for a large sd card, a set of AA rechargables, a case and a replacement lense cap and you’ll be all set!
Review by Mr. S. FORD-FENNAH for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Digital Camera (12.1 Megapixel, 20x Optical Zoom) 2.5 inch LCD
Rating:
I am so pleased i brought this camera, a true bridge between compact and SLR, takes some great pics have taken over 3k now and really pleased with results so far. the macro/supermacro is great (you do get a bit of bending around the edges but this is a super zoom camera! the telephoto is also very good and you can use it without a tripod (if you have a fairly steady hand – i find it easier to use the view finder) because the image stabilisatron is so very good. The auto mode does really work, you could give this to a complete novice and they could take a great pic. obviously there are the abundance of features which work well and you can still go for full manual when you want that extra attention to exposure! I have a 16GBHC SD card and that holds just over 4k pics on max resolution, battery life seems ok, and feels of good build – no creaking of hte body or anything yet.
Hope this is useful, have fun!