• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 21.00mm - 1365.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Canon SX70

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 600 vs 325 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    86 mm vs 116 mm
    Thinner
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon SX70 advantages over Canon SX20 IS

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,365 mm vs 560 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/500 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    5 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
    20.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    21 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX10 IS

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SX10 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Canon SX70
Canon SX10 IS
  • $636
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Canon SX1 IS

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SX1 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Shoots 1080p video
Canon SX70
Canon SX1 IS
  • $636
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Canon SX20 IS
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Fast startup
Canon SX70
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $636
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Canon SX60

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SX60
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Canon SX70
Canon SX60
  • $636
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Nikon B700

Canon SX20 IS
Nikon B700
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon SX70
Nikon B700
  • $636
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • External Mic Jack
  • Newer
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
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