• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 122.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
  • Canon PowerShot A490
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon SX10 IS
SX10 IS vs SX20 IS
 
Successor: Canon SX30 IS
SX20 IS vs SX30 IS
 
General
Model Number: SX20 IS A490
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: EVF Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $399.99 $109.99
Street Price: $399.99 $74.97
Date Available: 2009-09-15 2010-02-28
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 23.8 oz (676 g)
includes batteries
6.2 oz (175 g)
Size: 4.9 x 3.5 x 3.4 in.
(124 x 88 x 87 mm)
3.7 x 2.4 x 1.2 in.
(94 x 62 x 31 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 10.0
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 1.69 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:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 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)
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 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) JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.1 0.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
640x480 (30/​30 LP)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) AVI (Motion JPEG)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 560mm 37 - 122mm
Focal Length (actual): 5 - 100mm 6.6 - 21.6mm
Zoom Ratio: 20.00x 3.30x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) / f/5.7(T) to f/8.0 f/3.0 (W) to f/5.8 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
2 cm to Infinity
0.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 0 - 10 cm
0.0 - 3.9 in
1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a 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 Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection (5-point)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution:   n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 2.5
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 115,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
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, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (*special scene mode) Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/3200 - 15 sec 1/2000 - 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 average, Spot, Face Detect AE Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes No
Shutter Priority: Yes No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
Creative Exposure Modes: 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, Portrait, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Low Light, Beach, Foliage, Snow, Sunset, Fireworks, Long Shutter
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 2, 10, custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro Auto, Slow Synchro, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Shutter Sync: 1st curtain, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Smart Flash Exposure
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1.6-22 ft./50cm-6.8m (W), 3.3-12 ft./1.0-3.7m (T) Auto ISO: 30 cm - 3.0 m (W), 30 cm - 2.0 (T) (12 in. - 9.8 ft (W), 12 in. - 6.6 ft. (T)
Max Flash Sync: 1/500  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot-Shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) AVI (Motion JPEG)
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:
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended):    
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.26  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.1 0.9
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): 0.54 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.52 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.440 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.84 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.072 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 2.4 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 2.2 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.3 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 600 shots (NiMH AA) 400 shots (NiMH AA)
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 4 x AA 2 x AA
Usable Battery Types: Alkaline disposeables, NiMH rechargeables Alkaline, Lithium disposables, NiMH rechargeables
Batteries Included: 4 x AA Alkaline disposeables 2 x AA Alkaline disposables
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM Canon Software Suite CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP2/Vista, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization, Articulating LCD, Smart Auto, Face/Motion Detection, Intelligent Contrast Correction, HD Movies. Smart Auto, i-Contrast. Available in two-toned Silver and Black.