Canon PowerShot SX30 IS vs Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS and the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS was introduced in September 2010 and Canon PowerShot SX20 IS was introduced in July 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Highlights

      • 14.1 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points (9 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.70" 230k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • Electronic Viewfinder
      • 0.6 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Highlights

      • 12.1 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.50" 230k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • Electronic Viewfinder
      • 0.7 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
      4. Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Canon PowerShot SX30 IS and Canon PowerShot SX20 IS.

      PROS

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.1 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.6 fps
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.7 fps
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      •   Screen Size - 2.70"
      •   Weight - 601 g (1.32 lb / 21.20 oz)
      •   Screen Size - 2.50"
      •   Weight - 600 g (1.32 lb / 21.16 oz)

      Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon SX30 IS
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot SX30 IS over Canon PowerShot SX20 IS.

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS vs Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
      Higher Sensor Resolution 14.1 Megapixel vs 12.1 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 4320 x 3240 vs 4000 x 3000
      Reaches Wider Angle 24 mm vs 28 mm
      Reachs More Telephoto 840 mm vs 560 mm
      Greater Optical Zoom 35x vs 20x
      Maximum Aperture at Wide End f/2.7 vs f/2.8
      Larger Screen 2.70" vs 2.50"
      Built-in Microphone Stereo vs Mono

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot SX30 IS.

      Canon SX10 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      10.0 MP

      Canon SX50 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon SX40 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon SX60 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.1 MP

      Canon SX70 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      20.3 MP

      Canon R5 C
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      45.0 MP

      Sony DSLR-A900
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      Full Frame

      24.6 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Nikon AW120
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.0 MP

      Sony a6100
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon R3
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      Full Frame

      24.1 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      Canon SX20 IS
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot SX20 IS over Canon PowerShot SX30 IS.

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS vs Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/5.8 vs f/5.7
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 0.6 fps vs 0.7 fps
      Lighter 601 g (1.32 lb / 21.20 oz) vs 600 g (1.32 lb / 21.16 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot SX20 IS.

      Canon SX70 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      20.3 MP

      Canon SX10 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      10.0 MP

      Canon SX60 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.1 MP

      Canon SX40 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon SX50 HS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon 5DS R
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Sony a7 III
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Sony a9 II
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Canon R50
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon R5 C
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      Full Frame

      45.0 MP

      Canon R100
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Canon R3
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      Full Frame

      24.1 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
        Video Capture
        Low Native ISO8080
        High Native ISO1,6001,600
        Live View Autofocus
        Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFully ArticulatedFully Articulated
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
        Small Sensor1/2.3-inch1/2.3-inch
        Low Resolution Sensor14.1 Megapixel12.1 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Focus Points99
        No Face Detection
        Low Resolution Screen230k dot230k dot
        Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/3200 sec1/3200 sec
        Low Max Continuous Shooting0.6 fps0.7 fps
        Low Video Resolution1280 x 7201280 x 720
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi Connection possible
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS has a 2.70" screen with 230k dot resolution and Canon PowerShot SX20 IS has a 2.50" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fully Articulated screens. Fully articulated screen makes cameras selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

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      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS and Canon PowerShot SX20 IS with Fully Articulated screen


      Viewfinder

      Cameras have built-in Electronic viewfinders. magnification and magnification.

      Sensor

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS features a 14.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 28.1 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,600. Canon PowerShot SX20 IS features a 12.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,600.

      Photography Features

      Cameras are equipped with DIGIC 4 processor.


      Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      NFC on Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS has Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.


      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Both cameras have HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS comes with NB-7L battery pack and Canon PowerShot SX20 IS comes with 4 x AA battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus card slot. Canon PowerShot SX20 IS has a single SD /SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/3200 sec on Canon PowerShot SX30 IS, and up to 1/3200 sec on Canon PowerShot SX20 IS. Canon PowerShot SX30 IS can shoot continuously up to 0.6 fps. Canon PowerShot SX20 IS can shoot continuously up to 0.7 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 6.80 m.. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Shoe Mount to Canon PowerShot SX30 IS and via [n] to Canon PowerShot SX20 IS. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/500 sec on Canon PowerShot SX20 IS.

      Physical Parameters

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS body has dimensions of 123 x 92 x 108 mm (4.84 x 3.62 x 4.25") and Canon PowerShot SX20 IS body has dimensions of 128 x 88 x 87 mm (5.04 x 3.46 x 3.43"). Canon PowerShot SX30 IS weighs 601 g (1.32 lb / 21.20 oz) and Canon PowerShot SX20 IS weighs 600 g (1.32 lb / 21.16 oz).

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      123 mm

      92 mm

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      128 mm

      88 mm

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      108 mm

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      87 mm

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      Size comparisons of Canon PowerShot SX30 IS and Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS and Canon PowerShot SX20 IS for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      POOR
      48
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      47
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.6 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.7 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      AVERAGE
      62
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.6 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.7 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.50"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      GOOD
      81
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 601 g (1.32 lb / 21.20 oz)
      GOOD
      81
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 600 g (1.32 lb / 21.16 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 601 g (1.32 lb / 21.20 oz)
      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 600 g (1.32 lb / 21.16 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Canon PowerShot SX30 IS and Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and give both of them the score of 57 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      OVERALL
      57
      OVERALL
      57

      Sensor

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.1 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      POOR
      45
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.6 fps
      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.7 fps
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec

      Video

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      58
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      GOOD
      78
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      GOOD
      77
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.50"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

      Connectivity

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

      POOR
      47
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 601 g (1.32 lb / 21.20 oz)
      POOR
      47
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 600 g (1.32 lb / 21.16 oz)


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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