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- This high-powered 20x Wide-angle Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer reduces camera shake so you achieve magnificent images whether you are up close or far away.
- Provides flexibility to use the optical zoom while shooting superb 720p HD movies with stereo sound so you can fully capture those fun, memorable moments, with an HDMI output connector for easy playback on your HDTV.
- Improved Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings for the camera based on 22 predefined shooting situations.
- This classically styled DIGIC 4 Image Processor, 12.1 Megapixel camera is a perfect device for any shooter!
- Large 2.5-inch Vari-angle LCD enables easy viewing.
- This AA battery powered camera enables you to easily power up.
- View Sample Images
Powerful Zoom, True-to-Life Imaging.
This high-powered 20x Wide-angle Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer reduces camera shake so you achieve magnificent images whether you are up close or far away.
The PowerShot SX20 IS 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 any scene 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 concert 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. Further aberration is controlled with the inclusion of a double-sided aspherical glass-molded lens and ultra-high refraction index lens.
The SX20 IS 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. Even when zoomed in, you can get the steady, crisp, brilliant images you'll be proud to shoot and share. And Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer Technology is convenient to use. It functions perfectly with or without a flash.
Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
Comments about Canon Canon SX20 IS Powershot Digital Camera:
Overall the camera is a decent camera for someone that wants some good high quality photos without having to pay the high price of a DSLR. I have taken numerous photos with this camera and the only bad thing that I have come across with the camera is that the shutter speed is not very good. Photos during sporting events or when people are moving come through blurred. It is good for standing photos and landscape but that is about it. Even in the sports mode it is not that great.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the camera tremendously but it needs to have better shutter speeds because I could have spent the extra $100.00 for the DSLR low end and get phenominal photos.
The 4 AA batteries that it takes goes quickly as well.
[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]
from Fulton, Missouri on 9/28/2010
Comments about Canon Canon SX20 IS Powershot Digital Camera:
I take a lot of family photos. I'm a hiker and a traveler, good enough to get an occasional picture published (usually to accompany my writing), but by no means a pro. I think a lot about how much my camera weighs since a backpack can get heavy after a few hours!
I wanted to move up (in megapixels and zoom power) from my Panasonic DMC-F27 and was torn between the Nikon P100 and the Canon SX20. I bought the Canon--obviously, megapixels won out over the power of the zoom lens. I've moved up from the Panasonic's 12X lens (though I do miss that Leica lens!) and don't miss the slight advantage the Nikon would have givem me.
I'm very happy with the SX20 though it does weigh considerably more than my old Panasonic. Wanting to take full advantage of its powers, I bought Dennis Curtin's "Short Course in Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Photography." Buy it. It's well worth the investment.
I've already recommended this camera to several friends who have in the past let me do the research and followed my lead.
Outside of Sitka
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Dexter on the summit, Penobscot Mtn., Maine
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from Conway, AR on 7/17/2010
Comments about Canon Canon SX20 IS Powershot Digital Camera:
I use this camera for concert photos, car shows, traveling, gravestone preservation, genealogy, weddings, and more. It is very easy to use, understand and figure out. You can purchase an external flash to help add more flash power to your shots as well as the flash diffuser. It mounts on a tripod very well and is able to do the same thing as the other Canon just like it that costs more than this one. I am a semi-pro photographer and really enjoy this camera and am very happy. I would recommend this camera to my friends.
Cousin riding his motorcyle
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Cousin riding his motorcycle
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[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Canon Canon SX20 IS Powershot Digital Camera:
This does exactly want I want!! Powerful superzoom, ablity to add a flash and sports feature. This is incrediable!!!!!! I wanted a DSL without the price or weight of the lens..This is great!
Okay not everything is perfect. However the reviews that I read, proved to be what I got. I wanted a battery camera-you can always find a AA battery-not necessarly with a charger..needs time and a electriical outlet! Been to too many funtions that became the issue. A len cap cord is a huge help, bit not enough to complain about.
One question-Canon why did you not print the book? being green is not always the best for your customer...although it is available via internet.
from Rome, GA on 6/30/2010
Comments about Canon Canon SX20 IS Powershot Digital Camera:
Camera has a lot of lag time at high mpix indoors especially with the flash. I had to set the mpix @ 6 to cut the lag time. I only used the camera in the full auto mode so that may be part of the cause for lag time. Otherwise this is a typical excellent Canon compact digital !!
[20 of 21 customers found this review helpful]
from San Francisco on 12/23/2009
Comments about Canon Canon SX20 IS Powershot Digital Camera:
Since I previously owned Canon PowerShots S3 (Oct 2006), S5, and SX10, this SX20 was easy to get used to since it only builds on its predecessors. When I went digital, I decided to stay with point and shoots to easy the chore of carrying a camera with me at all times. Also, it is affordable to stay on the cutting edge. The range of 28mm to 560mm is a big advantage whether shooting far away subjects or macros. The super macro setting allows easy focus on very close objects.
My only objection about this camera is that Canon only offers the user guide on the CD. No printed manual comes in the box. I wrote to the CEO in Japan and Canon eventually provided me a manual printed on full sized paper.
Super Macro shot with SX20
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Pelican flying over SF Bay
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[23 of 27 customers found this review helpful]
from Miami, FL on 12/9/2009
Comments about Canon Canon SX20 IS Powershot Digital Camera:
I'm really starting to know this camera, so take this with caution. I use this equipment for family pictures but also use the pictures for my hobby, which is painting, so I look for details. I find the flash sometimes is too strong and the resuting images look like flooded in a white light. The zoom is not what I expected, but then, is a compact camera. I must say it is easy to handle, lightweight, the images are great and the LCD screen visuals are very useful. I used to have a film SLR with several lenses and filters so I admit that this is as close to the big ones you can get with a compact camera. It's a budget matter in these days.