Canon SX10IS vs SX20IS

Canon decided to update their very super-zoom SX10IS camera with the SX20IS. Although they decided to keep most of the components of the SX10IS, there are some minor improvements and changes in the SX20IS. The first and foremost difference between the two cameras would be the sensor resolution as the SX20IS now sports a 12 megapixel camera, which is a modest improvement over the 10 megapixel sensor of the SX10IS. Not only would the extra resolution provide you with finer images, but it could also provide you with some leeway when you decide to utilize the 4X digital zoom for whatever reason.

Another improvement in the SX20IS is in the video recording area. The SX10IS was able to record video at VGA (640×480) resolution at 30 frames per second. With the SX20IS, video recording was upped to HD quality at 720p (1280×720), also at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. The SX20IS can now fully take advantage of the HDMI port as it can now play HD quality video on other HD devices.

A capability that the SX10IS has is sound recording. It can record audio only without recording video. This feature was removed by Canon in the SX20IS, probably because they deemed it not so useful. If you really need to record audio with your SX20IS, you can simply record video and just take the audio component of the recorded file.

Lastly, Canon managed to shave some weight from the SX20IS. While the SX10IS weighed 600 grams without the battery, the SX20IS only weighs 560 grams (without batteries). It may not seem to be much of a difference but you are very likely to appreciate it if you carry your camera around for long periods of time.

With that being said, both cameras are pretty decent if you want a camera that is better than your typical point and shoots but is still more convenient than a DSLR. The 20X optical zoom allows you to get up close to your subject without having a negative effect on image quality.

Summary:

1. The SX10iS has a 10 megapixel sensor while the SX20iS has a 12 megapixel sensor

2. The SX10IS can only record SD quality video while the SX20IS can record HD quality video

3. The SX10IS has a sound recorder function not available on the SX20IS

4. The SX10IS is slightly heavier than the SX20IS

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