Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Digital Camera, Black (Camera Only) {12.1MP}

Canon's 20x superzoom bridge camera with a fully articulated screen

The PowerShot SX20 IS builds its case around one number: 20x optical zoom, covering a 28-560mm equivalent range in a fixed lens with a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture at the wide end. That reach is stabilized optically, which matters at 560mm where handshake gets punishing fast. A 12.0-megapixel CCD sensor and Digic 4 processor handle the imaging side, while a fully articulated 2.5-inch LCD lets you compose from awkward angles that a fixed screen can't manage.

This is a bridge camera in the fullest sense: an SLR-like body with real manual controls. You get aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual exposure, backed by a shutter range from 15 seconds to 1/3200 sec and exposure compensation to ±2 EV in 1/3-stop steps. Nine autofocus points and manual focus give you control over where sharpness lands, and the hot-shoe accepts external flash when the built-in pop-up (rated to 6.80m) isn't enough.

Video tops out at 1280 x 720 at 30 fps in H.264 with stereo audio, useful for casual clip work alongside stills. Power comes from 4 AA batteries, so you're never stuck hunting for a proprietary charger. For a single lens covering true wide-angle through long telephoto with full manual exposure control, the SX20 IS packs an established feature set into one body.

Who It's For

Travel photographers get the most obvious win here: one fixed 28-560mm lens replaces a bag of glass, and the AA battery setup means fresh power is available anywhere. Wildlife and casual sports shooters benefit from that same 560mm reach paired with optical image stabilization, letting them handhold long telephoto shots without a tripod. Photographers who like shooting from low or high angles get real use out of the fully articulated LCD, and anyone learning manual exposure has aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual modes to practice on, with a 15 sec to 1/3200 sec shutter range to work within.

Key Features

• 20x optical zoom (28-560mm equivalent) with f/2.8 wide aperture
• 12.0MP CCD sensor with Digic 4 processor
• Fully articulated 2.5-inch LCD screen
• Optical image stabilization across the entire focal range
• Full manual exposure control with 15-second to 1/3200-second shutter range
• Nine autofocus points with manual focus option
• 1280 x 720 video at 30 fps with stereo audio
• Built-in pop-up flash plus hot-shoe for external flash

FAQ

What's the actual focal length range on the SX20 IS?

28-560mm equivalent, covered by a single fixed 20x optical zoom lens. At 560mm, optical stabilization becomes essential for handholding.

Can you shoot manual exposure on this camera?

Yes. Full manual mode, plus aperture priority and shutter priority. Shutter range runs 15 seconds to 1/3200 sec, with exposure compensation to ±2 EV in 1/3-stop increments.

How does the articulated screen work?

Fully articulated 2.5-inch LCD that lets you compose from angles a fixed screen can't reach. It's useful for shooting over crowds or at ground level without lying down.

What video specs does it have?

1280 x 720 at 30 fps in H.264 format with stereo audio. Also supports 640 x 480 and 320 x 240 at 30 fps, plus 320 x 240 at 15 fps.

What powers the camera?

4 AA batteries, alkaline or NiMH. You're not dependent on proprietary chargers or proprietary battery formats.

How many autofocus points are there?

Nine AF points, plus manual focus for full control over where sharpness lands.