• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SD4000 IS advantages over Sony HX20V

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.69 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.2
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Thinner
    23 mm vs 34 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    174g vs 254g
    Lighter weight
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/2500 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony HX20V advantages over Canon SD4000 IS

  • More telephoto lens reach
    500 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 320 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    922k 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
  • More pixels
    18.2 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX75

Canon SD4000 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX75
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Sony HX20V
Panasonic DMC-FX75
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX700

Canon SD4000 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX700
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $204
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Less shutter lag
Sony HX20V
Panasonic DMC-FX700
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $204
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon ELPH 500 HS

Canon SD4000 IS
Canon ELPH 500 HS
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
Sony HX20V
Canon ELPH 500 HS
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $246
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony HX30V

Canon SD4000 IS
Sony HX30V
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup
Sony HX20V
Sony HX30V
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Panasonic ZS35

Canon SD4000 IS
Panasonic ZS35
  • $288
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony HX20V
Panasonic ZS35
  • $326
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Compare Other Cameras?