Canon
PowerShot SX20IS with 20x Optical Zoom
|
August
19th, 2009
Canon has today
announced a number of new PowerShot digital cameras, among them
the full featured yet compact 12.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot SX20
IS, a successor to the popular Canon PowerShot SX10 IS (2008).
|
|
Updated
Nov 2nd, 2009:
We have now posted a number of sample test images taken with the Canon
PowerShot SX20 IS. See how the camera performed in our Canon
SX20 IS Sample Image Gallery.
|
|
|
The
Powershot SX20 IS now features HD video (720p) movie recording at
30 frames per second, while keeping the same stereo microphone found
on the SX10 IS.
The
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS features a 2.5 inch vari-angle PureColor
LCD display coupled with the full manual controls that allows photographers
an even greater range of creative options.
The
PowerShot SX20 IS features a 20x wide-angle (28mm) optical zoom
with a focal range from 28mm to 560mm in 35mm terms offering great
versatility with composition.
The
lens features both an Ultrasonic Motor (USM) and a Voice Coil Motor
(VCM) for fast, silent focus and zooming. Combined with a wide-angle
view the camera is ideal for shooting wildlife photography or sports
events.
|
Canon
PowerShot SX20IS Digital Camera Major Features
• 12.1 MP
sensor offers higher resolution for larger size prints or cropping into
an image while maintaining detail
• The PowerShot
SX20IS is equipped with a 20x Optical Zoom lens with a focal length of
5.0 - 100mm (35mm equivalent: 28 - 560mm) that allows you to shoot scenes
from wide-angle to telephoto. The camera uses a VCM (Voice Coil Motor)
for high-speed, quiet, energy-efficient lens movement with precise control.
Focal length is conveniently indicated on the lens barrel.
The lens is optimized
to fully exploit its zoom length and wide shooting angle in combination
with the camera's high 12.1 Megapixel resolution. UD glass effectively
suppresses chromatic aberration, while enhanced negative refractive power
ensures that distortion at the wide-angle is also corrected.
• The PowerShot
SX20IS is equipped with Canon's acclaimed Optical Image Stabilizer Technology
that automatically detects and corrects camera shake - one of the leading
causes of fuzzy or blurred shots. (Up to 4 stops compensation)
• The Canon
SX20IS lets you record video in high definition (1280 x 720 pixels). The
SX20IS also makes it easy to enjoy HD movies (and still photos) on your
HDTV with a mini-HDMI connector for direct connection to a high-definition
monitor. You'll enjoy the HD experience with no degradation of image or
audio in the signal, plus the ability to display up to 130 thumbnails
at once.
• Smart Auto
and Shooting Modes: Smart Auto mode analyses subject brightness, contrast,
distance, hue and movement. Intelligent Scene Detection Technology then
selects from 22 scene types, applying the best settings for optimum output.
The Canon PowerShot SX20IS offers creative exposure control modes including
Manual, Aperture and Shutter Priority and Program.
• iSAPS Technology
is an entirely original scene-recognition technology developed for digital
cameras by Canon. Using an internal database of thousands of different
photos, iSAPS works with the advanced DIGIC 4 Image Processor to improve
focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.
• 2.5-inch
Vari-angle LCD (230K dots) offers a crisp, clear picture to make shooting,
playback and using the camera's menu functions especially convenient.
Clear and bright, it also features Night Display for easy viewing in low
light.
The Canon PowerShot
SX20IS also features an electronic viewfinder that provides sharp images
when you shoot close-up with Super Macro shooting mode.
• Intelligent
technologies: A new Face Self-Timer automatically detects an increase
in the number of faces and makes the appropriate adjustments. For instance,
to include a photographer's face in a group shot, there's no need to rush
in. Just put the camera on a stand or tripod, select the Face Self-Timer,
and the camera will wait for the photographer's face to get on-camera
before it takes the shot.
Motion Detection on
the Canon SX20IS now tracks moving subjects in a much larger range, and
the new Servo AF retains focus on a moving subject after the shutter button
is pressed halfway - allowing you to wait for the perfect shot without
refocusing. Also, Face Detection and Motion Detection are markedly improved
according to Canon.
• The PowerShot
SX20IS has a built-in hot shoe that enables it to be used with a range
of optional accessories including Speedlite EX flashes (including 270EX,
220EX, 430EX II, 580EX II) as well as the Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2
and Off-Camera Shoe Cord OC-E3.
• Users will
also benefit from the help guide incorporated within the user interface.
Short descriptions of functions simplify the interaction with the camera
and encourage the user to explore the features - thereby taking better
shots.
• The Canon
SX20IS uses 4 standard AA size batteries. The camera comes supplied with
a set of 4 disposable Alkaline batteries. Rechargeable AA batteries and
a charger are recommended accessories.
The
SX20IS will provide approximately 340 shots with the supplied batteries
and approximately 600 shots with optional Canon NB4-300 rechargeable batteries.
• The
Canon PowerShot SX20IS
is compatible with Secure Digital (SD) format memory cards.
SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus cards can be used.
• The
SX20IS offers
a broad ISO sensitivity range for most applications.
Available
settings include: AUTO, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 ISO. Image size is
fixed at 1600 x 1200 in ISO 3200 Mode and at 1824 x 1368 in Low Light
Mode.
• i-Contrast:
In shooting or playback, enhanced I-Contrast optimises dynamic range according
to the scene- retaining detail in shadows and preventing overexposure
of highlights. The result is natural images with the best possible contrast.
Scheduled
to be available in September, the Canon PowerShot SX20IS is expected to
retail in Canada for an estimated price of $499.99 (CAN). The retail price
in the US is expected to be $399.99 (US). See the latest Canadian
Street Prices on the Powershot SX20 IS, or if from the
US see
here
for the latest deal on the SX20 IS.
 |
|
Canon
PowerShot SX20IS Digital Camera Specifications
|
| Sensor
Type |
1/2.3”
CCD |
| Effective
Pixels |
Approx.12.1M |
| Colour
Filter Type |
Primary
Colour |
| Processor |
DIGIC
4 with iSAPS technology |
| Focal
Length |
5.0
- 100.0 mm (35mm equivalent: 28-560mm) |
| Zoom |
Optical
20x. Digital approx. 4x (with Digital Tele-Converter approx. 1.5x
or 2.0x and Safety Zoom¹)². Combined approx. 80x |
| Maximum
f/number |
f/2.8-f/5.7 |
| Construction |
13
elements in 11 groups (1 UD and 1 single-sided UA element) |
| Image
Stabilization |
Yes
(shift-type) |
| Ultrasonic
Motor (USM) |
Yes,
zoom |
| AF
System/ Points |
Face
Detection, 1-point AF (Any position is available, fixed to centre
or Face Select and Track) |
| AF
Modes |
Single,
Continuous, Servo AF/AE |
| AF
Point Selection |
Manual
selection using FlexiZone AF/AE, Size (Normal, Small) |
| AF
Lock |
On/Off
Selectable |
| AF
Assist Beam |
Yes |
| Manual
Focus |
Yes |
| Focus
Bracketing |
Yes |
| Metering
modes |
Evaluative
(linked to Face Detection AF frame), Centre-weighted average, Spot
(centre or linked to Face Detection AF or FlexiZone AF frame) |
| AE
Lock |
Yes |
| Exposure
Compensation |
+/-
2 EV in 1/3 stop increments
Enhanced i-Contrast for automatic dynamic range correction |
| AEB |
1/3
- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments |
| ISO
sensitivity |
AUTO,
80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 ¹ Recording pixels fixed at 1600 x
1200 (ISO 3200 Mode) and 1824 x 1368 (Low Light Mode). |
| Shutter
Speed |
1
- 1/3200 sec (factory default)
15 - 1/3200 sec (total range - varies by shooting mode) |
| White
Balance |
Auto
(including Face Detection WB), Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent,
Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom |
| Viewfinder |
EVF
(0.44" type), approx. 235,000 dots |
| LCD
monitor |
Vari-angle
2.5” PureColor VA (TFT), approx. 230,000 dots. Adjustable to one
of five levels. Quick-bright LCD |
| Built-in
flash |
Auto,
Manual Flash On / Off, Red Eye Reduction |
| Flash
sync |
Fastest
speed 1/500 sec |
| Flash
exposure compensation |
+/-
2 EV in 1/3 stop increments. Face Detection FE. Safety FE. |
| Flash
Exposure Lock |
Yes |
| Manual
Power Adjustment |
3
levels with internal flash (up to 19 levels with external EX Speedlites
270EX and 430EX II. 22 levels with 580EX II¹) |
| Second
Curtain Synchronisation |
Yes |
| Flash
range |
50cm-6.8m
(W) / 1.0m-3.7m (T) |
| External
Flash |
E-TTL
with EX series Speedlites¹, Canon High Power Flash HF-DC1 |
| Modes |
Auto*,
Program AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, Portrait,
Landscape, Night Snapshot, Sports, SCN (Indoor, Sunset, Night Scene,
Fireworks, Beach, Aquarium, Foliage, Snow, ISO 3200¹, Color Accent,
Color Swap), Stitch Assist, Movie
*with Scene Detection Technology and Motion Detection Technology |
| Photo
Effects |
My
Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive
Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green,
Vivid Red, Custom Color) |
| Drive
modes |
Single,
Continuous, Self-Timer, FaceSelf-Timer |
| Continuous
Shooting |
Approx.
1.0 shots/sec.¹, AF: Approx. 0.7 shots/sec.¹, LV: Approx. 0.7 shots/sec.¹
(until memory card becomes full)² |
| Image
Size |
(L)
4000 x 3000, (M1) 3264 x 2448, (M2) 2592 x 1944, (M3) 1600 x 1200,
(S) 640 x 480, (W) 3840 x 2160. Resize in playback (M3, S, 320 x
240) |
| Compression |
Fine,
Normal |
| Movies |
(HD)
1280 x 720, 30fps, (L)640 x 480, 30fps, (M)320 x 240, 30fps |
| Movie
Length |
Up
to 4GB or 29 min. 59 sec (HD)¹
Up to 4GB or 1 hour (L, M)² |
| Still
image |
JPEG
compression, (Exif 2.2 [Exif Print] compliant) / Design rule for
Camera File system, Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1
compliant |
| Direct
Print |
Canon
SELPHY Compact Photo Printers and Canon Inkjet Printers supporting
PictBridge (ID Photo Print, Fixed Size Print and Movie Print supported
on SELPHY CP & ES printers only) |
| Histogram |
Yes,
live histogram |
| Self
Timer |
Approx.
2 or 10 sec., Custom or FaceSelf-Timer |
| Languages |
English,
German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish,
Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Chinese (traditional), Japanese, Russian,
Portuguese, Korean, Greek, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Thai,
Arabic, Ukrainian, Romanian, Farsi |
| Connections |
Hi-Speed
USB, HDMI Mini Connector. A/V output (PAL/NTSC) |
| Memory
card |
SD,
SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus. |
| Batteries |
4x
Size-AA Alkaline or NiMH Batteries (NB4-300) Alkalines supplied |
| Battery
life |
Approx.
340 shots (with supplied batteries)
Approx. 600 shots (with optional Canon NB4-300 batteries)
Approx. 720 min. playback (with supplied batteries)
Approx. 840 min. playback (with Canon NB4-300 batteries) |
| Battery
Chargers |
Optional,
Power adapter CA-PS700 |
| Optional
Accessories |
Canon
Speedlites (including 270EX, 430EX II, 580EX, 580EX II¹), Speedlite
Transmitter ST-E2, Off-Camera Shoe Cord OC-E3
High Power Flash HF-DC1Canon HDMI Cable HTC-100 |
| Software |
ZoomBrowser
EX / ImageBrowser, Photo Stitch |
Dimensions
(WxHxD) |
124.0
x 88.3 x 86.9 mm |
| Weight |
Approx.
560g |
Back to Top
Back
to News Page
|
