• 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.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
  • Canon PowerShot SX70 HS
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon SX10 IS
SX10 IS vs SX20 IS
Canon SX60
SX60 vs SX70
Successor: Canon SX30 IS
SX20 IS vs SX30 IS
 
General
Model Number: SX20 IS SX70
Alternate Model Number(s):   SX70 HS
Camera Format: EVF EVF
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $399.99 $549.99
Street Price: $399.99 $666.00
Date Available: 2009-09-15 2018-11-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 23.8 oz (676 g)
includes batteries
21.4 oz (608 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.9 x 3.5 x 3.4 in.
(124 x 88 x 87 mm)
5.0 x 3.6 x 4.6 in.
(127 x 91 x 116 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 20.3
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 1.19 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 4:3
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)
5184 x 3888 (20.2 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
2432 x 1824 (4.4 MP, 4:3),
5184 x 3456 (17.9 MP, 3:2),
3648 x 2432 (8.9 MP, 3:2),
2432 x 1616 (3.9 MP, 3:2),
5184 x 2912 (15.1 MP, 16:9),
3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9),
2432 x 1368 (3.3 MP, 16:9),
3888 x 3888 (15.1 MP, 1:1),
2736 x 2736 (7.5 MP, 1:1),
1824 x 1824 (3.3 MP, 1:1),
20960 x 2736 (57.3 MP, Other),
5184 x 2736 (14.2 MP, Other),
15744 x 3648 (57.4 MP, Other),
3648 x 3888 (14.2 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 12-bit RAW (.CR3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.1 10.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
3840x2160 (30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (120p/​100p/​60p/​50p/​30p/​25p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 560mm 21 - 1,365mm
Focal Length (actual): 5 - 100mm 3.8 - 247mm
Zoom Ratio: 20.00x 65.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) / f/5.7(T) to f/8.0 f/3.4 (W) / f/6.5 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
0 cm to Infinity
0.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 0 - 10 cm
0.0 - 3.9 in
0 - 50 cm
0.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a 67.0mm
Thread Type: n/a Via FA-DC67A adapter
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x (with Digital Tele-Converter Approx. 1.6x or 2.0x)
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection Contrast Detection; Face & Tracking (9 points), Tracking, 1-point, Spot
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type EVF: 0.39"-type 2.36M-dot OLED; 100% coverage; -3.0 to +1.0 diopter adjustment; eye sensor
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution:   2,359,296 dots (786,432 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes
Selfie Screen: Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   3200
Minimum ISO (native):   100
ISO Settings: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (*special scene mode) Auto (100-800), 100-3200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom Auto , Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/3200 - 15 sec 1/2000 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE Evaluative (linked to Face Detection), Centre-weighted average, Spot (Linked to AF frame)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
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, Smart Auto (29 scenes detected), Hybrid Auto, Creative Shot, Sports, Scene, Panorama Shot; Creative Filter: High Dynamic Range, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect
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, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
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: 48 cm � 6.5 m (W) / 1.8m - 4 m (T)
Max Flash Sync: 1/500 1/2000
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 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 SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:   UHS-I compliant
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   12-bit RAW (.CR3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type:   Via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
Connections (extended):   Micro (Type-D) HDMI, 3.5mm Microphone Jack
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 10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 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) 325 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   255 shots
Battery Life, Video:   85 minutes
Battery Form Factor: 4 x AA Proprietary LP-E12
Usable Battery Types: Alkaline disposeables, NiMH rechargeables Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 4 x AA Alkaline disposeables 1 x Proprietary LP-E12 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM  
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP2/Vista, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization, Articulating LCD, Smart Auto, Face/Motion Detection, Intelligent Contrast Correction, HD Movies.