• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1008.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot G3 X
  • Canon PowerShot SX420 IS
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon SX410 IS
SX410 IS vs SX420 IS
Successor:    
General
Model Number: G3X SX420 IS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Mid-Sized Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: Yes Yes
Retail Price: $999.99 $299.99
Street Price: $749.00 $279.00
Date Available: 2015-07-15 2016-02-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 26.1 oz (739 g)
includes batteries
11.5 oz (325 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.9 x 3.0 x 4.1 in.
(123 x 77 x 105 mm)
4.1 x 2.7 x 3.4 in.
(104 x 69 x 85 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 20.2 20.0
Sensor Format: 1 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 116.16mm2 (13.20mm x 8.80mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 2.41 microns 1.20 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.7x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 63  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.4  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.3  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 521  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 5472 x 3648 (20.0 MP, 3:2),
4320 x 2880 (12.4 MP, 3:2),
2304 x 1536 (3.5 MP, 3:2),
720 x 480 (0.3 MP, 3:2),
5472 x 3080 (16.9 MP, 16:9),
4320 x 2432 (10.5 MP, 16:9),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
720 x 408 (0.3 MP, Other),
4864 x 3648 (17.7 MP, 4:3),
3840 x 2880 (11.1 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 3648 (13.3 MP, 1:1),
2880 x 2880 (8.3 MP, 1:1),
1536 x 1536 (2.4 MP, 1:1),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1),
2912 x 3648 (10.6 MP, Other),
2304 x 2880 (6.6 MP, Other),
1232 x 1536 (1.9 MP, Other),
384 x 480 (0.2 MP, Other)
5152 x 3864 (19.9 MP, 4:3),
5152 x 3432 (17.7 MP, 3:2),
5152 x 2896 (14.9 MP, 16:9),
3856 x 3856 (14.9 MP, 1:1),
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2432 (8.9 MP, 3:2),
3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9),
2736 x 2736 (7.5 MP, 1:1),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1368 (2.8 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1536 x 1536 (2.4 MP, 1:1),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 14-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 7.3 0.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
1920x1080 (30p/​15p)
1280x720 (6p/​3p/​1.5p)
640x480 (6p/​3p/​1.5p)
1280x720 (25p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo)) MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Monaural))
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens with USM; 18 elements in 13 groups Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 24 - 600mm 24 - 1,008mm
Focal Length (actual): 8.8 - 220mm 4.3 - 180.6mm
Zoom Ratio: 25.00x 42.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) / f/5.6 (T) - f/11, with 9-blade aperture; built-in 3-stop ND filter f/3.5 (W) / f/6.6 (T) - ??
Integrated ND Filter: Yes No
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
0 - 50 cm
0.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: Bayonet adapter n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection; 31-point AiAF, 1-point (center for face select and track), Touch AF Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: No / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: Optional hot-shoe attachable EVF-DC1, 2.36M-dot OLED EVF.  
Focus Peaking: Yes No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.2 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 1,620,000 dots (540,000 px) 230,400 dots (76,800 px)
Touchscreen: Yes No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: Yes No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 1600
Minimum ISO (native): 125 100
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 125-12800 in 1/3 EV steps Auto, ISO 100 - 1600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1, Custom 2 Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (center or linked to Touch AF frame), Face Detect AE Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (center)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes No
Shutter Priority: Yes No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene Modes: Sports, Portrait, Smart Shutter, Star (Star Nightscape, Star Trails, Star Time-Lapse Movie), Handheld Night Scene, Snow, Fireworks; Filters: High Dynamic Range, Nostalgic, Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Background Defocus, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect Portrait, Face Self-timer, Low Light, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Snow, Fireworks, Long Shutter
Self Timer: 2, 10, Custom seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): No  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Manual, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off; (Red-eye reduction and second curtain sync available) Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 60cm - 6.8m (W), 85cm - 3.1m (T) Auto ISO: 1.6 ft. - 16 ft. (W), 4.6 - 8.9 ft. (T) (50cm - 5.0m (W), (1.4m - 2.7m (T))
Max Flash Sync: 1/2000  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I No UHS support
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: 14-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG  
Movie File Format: MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo)) MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Monaural))
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes No
NFC: Yes No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes No
Headphone Jack: Yes No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or via Wi-Fi Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Jack for RS-60E3 remote shutter release switch  
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.86  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 1.95  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 7.3 0.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 9  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 0.7  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): Unlimited  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 0.8  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): Unlimited  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.41 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.38 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.109 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.82 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.044 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.9 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 2.1 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.3 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 300 shots 195 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:   50 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-10L Proprietary NB-11LH/NB-11L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-10L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-11LH Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software:    
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 1-inch 20.2MP BSI CMOS sensor, DIGIC 6 image processor, 25x 24-600mm eq. F2.8-5.6 zoom lens, improve, EOS-style controls and menus, magnesium-alloy body, dust and water resistant. Available in black or red.