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Canon PowerShot SX20 IS reviews
You can find here the most interesting reviews / ratings from the well-known expert sites about the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Camera. Here are the reviewers:
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- 09 October 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 06 October 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 05 October 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 04 October 2009 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 21 September 2009 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 15 September 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 14 September 2009 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 08 September 2009 - |
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- 4 |
NeutralDay 's conclusion / rating - 09 October 2009 |
“ As you can see, there’s more similarities between these two assured best sellers than differences. Both offer the same resolution, use electronic viewfinders, have easy to implement HD movie recording, feature robust intelligent Auto modes in addition to manual modes, and provide incredibly long reach in relatively small sizes. The differences are few, but may end up being distinct enough for some consumers. Clearly the SX20’s articulating LCD is a huge difference for those so inclined (including me), and there is the advantage of using external flash, and the slight reach advantage of the 20x zoom. For the FZ35, the RAW files may be a real advantage for some, the smaller stature will appeal to others, and not having to use 4 AA batteries will be a plus for others. I also tend to like the more serious look of the FZ35 over the more rounded SX20, but that’s just me. In the end, the heft and grip of the SX20, along with the flip out LCD would probably win me over, but I’ll reserve judgment till I get some further extended hands on time... ”
Complete review here
DPInterface 's conclusion / rating - 06 October 2009 |
“ If you liked the Canon PowerShot SX10, that I reviewed earlier this year, then either you’ll be more pleased or disappointed with the PowerShot SX20 IS, depending on how you look at things. The Canon PowerShot SX20 IS brings forward the same features of its 10 megapixel sibling, including the 20X optically-stabilized zoom lens, full suite of manual controls, flip-out and rotate 2.5 inch LCD, class-leading battery life; and throws in a few small changes.
Ergonomics and build quality remains very good – the PowerShot SX20 IS is well built and easy to hold. There’s plenty of buttons (not TOO many, though) which may intimidate first time users but you’ll learn to appreciate that many options and settings can be changed with minimal menu-surfing. There’s also a customizable shortcut button, a custom mode spot, to which you can assign your own settings and a “My Menu” section to hold your favorite menu items. However, I didn’t like the fact that the rotary wheel around the camera’s navigation pad gave very little tactile ‘clicks’ and the tripod mount not being in-line with the lens may bother those who want to twirl the camera around on the tripod.
The Canon PowerShot SX20 has a suite of manual controls, which includes full control over exposure, flash and a custom white balance option. You can also opt to attach an external flash to the camera for additional flash power or better autofocus assist. The PowerShot SX20 does disappoint, however, in the sense that it does NOT have any RAW mode (at least on this unit, and those I checked out in local camera stores) – right now, we can safely assume that Canon wants you to pony up for the SX1 if you want RAW, unless they come up with a firmware update for the SX20 in the future.
For those not too used to messing around with camera settings, there are plenty of scene modes and automatic functions as well. Face detection, blink detection, full auto shooting – those features are here. The PowerShot SX20 also has an excellent macro mode for everyone. The camera’s macro mode allows you to go right up against your subject, provided you have enough (External) lighting of course.
One of the three main changes on the PowerShot SX20 is found in the movie department. The Canon SX20 features a step-up in movie recording resolution; you can now record 720p HD video with stereo sound. Other things that made the movie recording experience on its predecessors great remain here – the ability to use optical zoom, optical image stabilization, adjust microphone sensitivity and toggle the wind filter. Picture taking performance was above average, very speedy compared to other super-zoom cameras, though the increase in megapixels (hence, file sizes) took its toll on burst speed.
Image quality was generally quite clean, there isn’t a much difference or increase in noise compared to its predecessor, despite the increase in megapixel count, which is change number 2 on the SX20. Image resolution is now 12 megapixels, up from ten on the old camera, and image quality still does pretty well up to ISO 800. You could make large prints with ISO 400 photos, or small ones if you want to push ISO to 1600 or 3200. Redeye was a non-issue too, and colors were very nicely saturated. The only bad things are the prominent color fringing and edge softness in photos (the latter is removable in your computer), that’s expected from a lens covering such a large range.
The Canon PowerShot SX20 is essentially the same camera as the SX10, plus three ‘big’ new features: increase in megapixels to twelve, 720p HD movie mode (and a HDMI port) and ‘hints and tips’ for beginners. If you’d like to take pictures, plus record high resolution video now and then without buying a separate camcorder, then the PowerShot SX20 offers possibly the best bang-for-buck for a HD-hybrid camera. If your focus is on slightly faster still picture shooting or lower price, then consider the old PowerShot SX10... ”
DPInterface's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
Steves Digicams 's conclusion / rating - 05 October 2009 |
“ The PowerShot SX20 IS is a welcomed addition to Canon's popular "S" series of prosumer models. We were glad to see some of the improvements that have been made over the SX10, however I was a bit upset that the camera has slower burst speeds. The SX20 is a worthy competitor in the ultra-zoom/prosumer/enthusiast category, and is sure to be a very popular model in the years to come. If you are one who is not quite sure if you want to make the jump into the dSLR world, take a close look at this camera. The SX20 offers almost as much functionality as a consumer-level dSLR, great image quality, good performance, and loads of high-end features, all for about half the price. That said, with a street price of US$399 or less, we feel the SX20 IS offers an outstanding value... ”
Steves Digicams's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
CameraLabs 's conclusion / rating - 04 October 2009 |
“ Canon’s earlier PowerShot SX10 IS was one of the best super-zooms around, so while the enhancements on the new model aren’t radical, they’ve made a great camera even better. Two out of three requests we made last year have been addressed here, with the addition of HD video recording and an HDMI port, and we’re not surprised to find the third, RAW recording, remains absent.
So it will come as no surprise to find the SX20 IS an easy camera to recommend, but it’s important to note the competition hasn’t stood still. Panasonic remains an arch rival, and its latest super-zoom, the Lumix FZ38 / FZ35, has also become even more compelling than before. Interestingly both cameras also grow ever-closer, with Canon adding 720p movies, Panasonic fitting stereo mics and a dedicated record button, and both companies equipping their latest with 12 Megapixel sensors and HDMI ports.
Drill-down though and a number of key differences emerge. The Canon initially looks strongest with an articulated screen and flash hotshoe in its favour, but the Panasonic counters this with RAW files, slightly better AF and IS, longer recording times, manual exposures in movies, more usable burst options and automatic correction of coloured fringing. It’s also worth noting Canon has mysteriously removed some features of its predecessor, including the sound recorder and Super Fine JPEG option; indeed some omissions or poor performance (like the lack of mild compression or disappointing continuous shooting) seem there only to greater differentiate it from the SX1 IS. We’ve detailed all the differences above.
But the bottom line is the PowerShot SX20 IS is a great super-zoom camera overall and one which rarely disappoints in use – indeed by effectively taking the SX10 IS and equipping it with HD video and an HDMI port, it’ll make many people very happy. As for choosing between it and the Panasonic, you simply have to weigh-up which features mean the most to you – and be honest as the while the flash hotshoe on the Canon or RAW files of the Panasonic could influence a decision, how much would you actually use them in practice?
Ultimately our final words are the same as those on our Panasonic review: like its predecessor, the SX20 IS it delivers a compelling array of features for the money and easily comes Highly Recommended. Just ensure you compare it very closely with its arch rival... ”
CameraLabs's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
PCAdvisor 's conclusion / rating - 21 September 2009 |
“ If you want an advanced compact camera that can do just about anything then the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS digital camera is the one to shortlist! It's great for macros. it takes excellent night time photography, it has a huge zoom and built-in optical stabilisation, and it even does a good job of capturing HD video... ”
PCAdvisor's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
DigitalCameraReview 's conclusion / rating - 15 September 2009 |
“ When Canon introduced the SX10 IS, its 20x zoom closed that gap on the competition at the time. Since then the ultrazoom lens envelope has been pushed out to 24 and 26x (and 624 and 676mm, respectively), while Canon's just introduced successor to the SX10 IS stands pat at 20x and 560mm. While the lens numbers may not have changed, the SX20 IS has elevated Canon's game over the SX10 IS in a number of ways. It's not a sweeping remake of the brand's CCD sensor flagship but rather incremental improvements to an already capable platform.
AF acquisition time is faster, shutter lag is shorter. Flash range is increased and recycle times are lower. Macro focus range is closer. ISO noise performance is almost too close to call versus the SX10 IS, but the SX20 IS has an additional 2 megapixels on the sensor, so that's a net gain (and performance compares favorably with the competition). The 720p HD video quality is one of the better ones I've come across in compact digitals, and you can zoom while shooting. The SX10 IS was/is a good camera - this one's better.
The lens is slower than the competition at full telephoto by about 2/3 of a stop and the 2.5 inch monitor looks a bit dated in a world of 2.7 inches and up, but its range of motion compensates for size a bit. This camera won't shoot as wide or as long as some of the competition, but it can hold its own in the image quality department and that makes it a viable contender in this crowded class. Now if they'd only put the whole manual in the box... ”
DigitalCameraReview's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
PhotoReview 's conclusion / rating - 14 September 2009 |
“ Replacing the PowerShot SX10 IS at the top of Canon's super-zoom range, the PowerShot SX20 IS has higher resolution than its predecessor and includes the ability to record video clips in widescreen, high-definition (1280 x 720 pixel) format. Otherwise, little has changed in the new model. With its SLR-like styling and large hand-grip, the SX20 IS is targeted at photo enthusiasts who want a cheaper, more compact camera for travelling - or even everyday use... ”
PhotoReview's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
PhotographyBLOG 's conclusion / rating - 08 September 2009 |
“ A year on from the SX10 IS, the new SX20 model adds a couple of key improvements to an already appealing design, but doesn't quite offer enough to take the super-zoom crown.
The SX20 IS is virtually identical to its predecessor, with the only major additions being the new HD movie recording and an "upgrade" to 12 megapixels. The former is successful, the latter less so. Being able to shoot high-definition video with stereo sound and the ability to make full use of the 20x zoom is a real attraction and something that not many other cameras currently offer. Unfortunately the story isn't so rosy with regards to still images, with noise and loss of fine detail first appearing at ISO 400 rather than ISO 800 as on the SX10. It seems that the move to more megapixels has compromised the overall image quality at higher ISO speeds, limiting this camera's ability in low-light environments.
Other key features have been sensibly retained - the tilt-and-swivel LCD, dedicated record button for instant video clips, clear electronic viewfinder and external hotshoe all makes this an appealing digicam for the keen hobbyist, especially with a full range of manual shooting modes on offer. The only fly in the ointment is the continued absence of a RAW file format, pushing would-be buyers to the G11, currently the only Canon compact that offers RAW shooting. Several rival super-zoom cameras also support RAW, most notably the Panasonic FZ38 and Olympus SP-570 UZ, so there are other alternatives in the same category if this is a must-have feature.
Despite the less than stellar still images, lack of RAW, slight price increase and few real upgrades over the previous model, the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS remains a likeable and easy-to-use camera. It's still a solid and reliable option for both the uninitiated moving up to a bridge model for the first time, and those stepping down momentarily from a DSLR who are looking for a model as a back up, or perhaps to supplement their existing lens range, but in a more portable and user-friendly format... ”
PhotographyBLOG's rating: |
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- 4 |
Complete review here
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