• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 483.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Samsung WB850F

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    560 mm vs 483 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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

Samsung WB850F advantages over Canon SX20 IS

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    24 mm vs 86 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    226g vs 676g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    614k 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
    16.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    23 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

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
Samsung WB850F
Canon SX10 IS
  • $467
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

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
Samsung WB850F
Canon SX1 IS
  • $467
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

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
Samsung WB850F
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $467
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Samsung WB800F

Canon SX20 IS
Samsung WB800F
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Samsung WB850F
Samsung WB800F
  • $467
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compared to Samsung Galaxy Camera 2

Canon SX20 IS
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
Samsung WB850F
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
  • $467
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Compare Other Cameras?