Canon PowerShot SX20IS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch Articulating LCD
With a 20x wide-angle zoom, the 12.1-megapixel PowerShot SX20 IS offers intelligent, versatile shooting power. Switch to Smart Auto mode for effortlessly great results, or shoot stunning HD movies.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars An all around good travel camera
This Canon camera was purchased for an extended trip to Europe. I didn’t want to haul my heavy, interchangeable lens, DSLR camera everywhere during six weeks touring three countries. I did want to shoot an occasional HD video without hauling a dedicated video camera. The 20X optical zoom range of the Canon PowerShot SX20IS replaces 10 pounds of lenses associated with my DSLR. The active image stabilization means that a tripod will seldom be needed.
After using the Canon for 100’s of still pictures and dozens of videos, these are the pluses and minuses associated with the SX20IS -
Pluses: Very good optics, excellent auto-focus, very good HD video, excellent as a point-and-shoot camera, and very easy to use.
Minuses: Very noisy images above ISA 200, only average quality view finder image, no printed camera manual other than basics, and some purple fringing in some lighting situations.
4 Stars Wanting to record high-def video?
If you want to record high-def video you MUST have an SD with a Speed Class of 4 or higher. Canon does not tell you this anywhere, I had to find out by contacting technical support after looking at the troubleshooting guide because I could only get about 15 seconds of video before it would stop.
I don’t know about regular video, but to be safe I’d still get the higher speed SD card. It will take still pictures just fine with a lower speed class.
2 Stars Heavy and bulky camera
I use this camera for work and did not purchase or pick it out myself. Comparing it to the Sony DSC-H10 that I have at home, I really don’t like the Cannon. Here’s why:
-The lens cap doesn’t have a cord to connect it to the camera. You have to keep track of it or you’ll lose it.
-The camera is really heavy. It takes 4 AA batteries and the batteries alone make the camera heavy. (My Sony is MUCH lighter with the one rechargeable battery.)
-The Duracell batteries that I use don’t last very long. I use the large screen to take pictures and while I know this takes more battery juice than if I used the viewfinder, I feel like the battery life is really low. I don’t even want to think about how much money I’ve spent in batteries this past year.
-It isn’t a one button deal to over-ride the automatic flash. There are times when the flash doesn’t go off and I want it to and it it’s a several button process to get the flash to go.
-There is a fairly substantial delay in the time it takes between taking a picture and being able to take another one.
-With all Canon cameras you need to install software on your computer in order to view and download photos. Again, with a Sony, this isn’t the case. This isn’t a problem if you only download to one computer but if you want the ability to download to other people’s computers, it’s something to consider.
To sum up, it isn’t a bad camera but the negatives outweigh the positives for me.
4 Stars Canon SX20IS review
This is my second Canon digital camera. Main reason bought this one was for the vari-angle display screen and long telephoto. The camera met my expectations on both these items. I haven’t had the camera long enough to truly judge photo quality but so far the photos I’ve taken have been great. My only complaint is not the camera itself, but the lack of a printed manual. The camera has so many features it is not economical or convenient to print out the 100+ page pdf manual (which is 8×10 size) and hardly convenient to look things up on the computer. The other complaint - is either use the lens cap or use the included lens hood — but not both at same time. Also the need to purchase an adapter to install a proper UV filter or any other filter.. and if doing so, not being able to use the included hood! The camera itself is great and meets all my expectations for quality at this price point. It’s strong suit is not portability — it is versatility. The features this camera has for manual shooting are excellent for someone beyond point-and-shoot, but also suitable for someone who wants simple settings while learning about advanced settings. Another plus is using AA batteries. I have been amazed how long the included alkalines are lasting so far.
5 Stars Learning
So far, this camera has lived up to my expectations. It will take a little time to learn all the
features it has, but , that in itself , is the beauty of digital..experiment, experiment, experiment!!!!
Don’t just set to “auto” or you will miss out on some great chances to really enhance your photos.
Filed under: Video Camera Reviews