• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 210.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot G9
  • Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon G7
G7 vs G9
Canon SX10 IS
SX10 IS vs SX20 IS
Successor: Canon G10
G9 vs G10
Canon SX30 IS
SX20 IS vs SX30 IS
General
Model Number: G9 SX20 IS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Mid-Sized EVF
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $499.99 $399.99
Street Price:   $399.99
Date Available: 2007-10-30 2009-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 12.8 oz (364 g)
includes batteries
23.8 oz (676 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.2 x 2.8 x 1.7 in.
(106 x 72 x 43 mm)
4.9 x 3.5 x 3.4 in.
(124 x 88 x 87 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 12.1
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.90 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 4:3, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 35  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 18.8  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 10.1  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 146  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
3840 x 2160 (8.3 MP, 16:9),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), RAW CR2 JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.1 1.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1024x768 (15)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
160x120 (15)
1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens, 9 elements in 7 groups (including 1 aspherical element) Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 35 - 210mm 28 - 560mm
Focal Length (actual): 7.4 - 44.4mm 5 - 100mm
Zoom Ratio: 6.00x 20.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) / f/4.8 (T) - f/8 f/2.8 (W) / f/5.7(T) to f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: Yes No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
0 - 10 cm
0.0 - 3.9 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No 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; 9-point AIAF, Face Detect AF, Single AF point, FlexiZone Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: Real-image optical zoom EVF type
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a  
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 2.5
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 230,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600. 3200 requires special scene mode Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (*special scene mode)
Auto ISO Mode: No Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Underwater, Custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2500 - 15 sec 1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center or linked to active AF point), Face Detect AE Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: No Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Night Snapshot, Sports, Indoor,Kids & Pets, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium, ISO 3200, Underwater,Stitch Assist Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Aquarium, Night Scene, Indoor, ISO 3200, Color Accent, Color Swap), Super Macro, Night Snapshot, Stitch Assist,
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 1 - 30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, On, Off, Slow-sync (second-curtain sync not available) Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: 9.8 ft (W) / 6.6 ft (T); ISO set to Auto Auto ISO: 1.6-22 ft./50cm-6.8m (W), 3.3-12 ft./1.0-3.7m (T)
Max Flash Sync: 1/500 1/500
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot-Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: RAW CR2  
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): DC Input  
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.12 2.26
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 2.79  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.1 1.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.57 seconds 0.54 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.69 seconds 0.52 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.580 seconds 0.440 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.84 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.088 seconds 0.072 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.5 seconds 2.4 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 1.5 seconds 2.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 5.4 seconds 2.3 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 240 shots 600 shots (NiMH AA)
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-2LH 4 x AA
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Alkaline disposeables, NiMH rechargeables
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-2LH Lithium Ion rechargeable 4 x AA Alkaline disposeables
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Canon software suite Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows XP SP2/Vista, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization, Face Detection, RAW mode, Hot Shoe. Optical Image Stabilization, Articulating LCD, Smart Auto, Face/Motion Detection, Intelligent Contrast Correction, HD Movies.