• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
  • Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
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: A900 SX20 IS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR EVF
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $2999.99 $399.99
Street Price:   $399.99
Date Available: 2008-11-15 2009-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 33.1 oz (939 g)
includes batteries
23.8 oz (676 g)
includes batteries
Size: 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
4.9 x 3.5 x 3.4 in.
(124 x 88 x 87 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CCD
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 24.6 12.1
Sensor Format: 35mm 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.94 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 4:3, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 79  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.7  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.3  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,431  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6048 x 4032 (24.4 MP, 3:2),
6048 x 3408 (20.6 MP, Other),
4400 x 2936 (12.9 MP, 3:2),
4400 x 2472 (10.9 MP, 16:9),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2),
2896 x 1928 (5.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 1704 (5.2 MP, Other),
1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
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)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 5.0 1.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format:   MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) n/a
Lens: n/a Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   28 - 560mm
Focal Length (actual):   5 - 100mm
Zoom Ratio:   20.00x
Aperture Range:   f/2.8 (W) / f/5.7(T) to f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   0 - 10 cm
0.0 - 3.9 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection with 10 assist points, center dual-cross at f/2.8. Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 100% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter EVF type
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a  
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.74x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.74x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 2.5
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 230,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 19.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200  
Minimum ISO (native): 200  
ISO Settings: Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400 Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (*special scene mode)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature from 2,500K to 9,900K, Custom (3) Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE
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,
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 1 - 30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a Auto ISO: 1.6-22 ft./50cm-6.8m (W), 3.3-12 ft./1.0-3.7m (T)
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/500
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe, PC-sync Hot-Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive SD / SDHC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)  
Movie File Format:   MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: 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: Yes
Remote Control Type: Wired or wireless  
Connections (extended): DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack  
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.40 2.26
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.41  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 15 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 5.0 1.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 11 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): 0.18 seconds 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): 0.153 seconds 0.440 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.84 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.072 seconds 0.072 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 2.4 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 2.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   2.3 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   600 shots (NiMH AA)
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 880 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary 4 x AA
Usable Battery Types: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable Alkaline disposeables, NiMH rechargeables
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 4 x AA Alkaline disposeables
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only). Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000Pro/XP/Vista; Mac OS X (v 10.1.3+) Windows XP SP2/Vista, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 24.6MP Full-frame CMOS sensor, In-body SteadyShot Image Stabilization, Intelligent Preview, Enhanced DRO, Magnesium-alloy Body, Dust/Moisture Resistance, 100K Shutter, 3 User Programmable Memory Modes, AF Micro-adjustment, Top Mounted LCD, Quick Navigation system, Custom button, PhotoTV HD output via HDMI optimized for Sony Bravia TVs. Optical Image Stabilization, Articulating LCD, Smart Auto, Face/Motion Detection, Intelligent Contrast Correction, HD Movies.