Capture the Moment with Canon PowerShot SX420 IS – A Comprehensive Review

With a 20 Megapixel CCD Sensor and a powerful 42x Optical Zoom lens, the Canon PowerShot SX420 IS is an excellent choice for those looking to capture the perfect shot. Its compact design and easy-to-use features make it a go-to camera for both amateur and professional photographers alike. In this blog post, we'll dive into the features and specifications of the Canon PowerShot SX420 IS to help you decide if it's the right camera for you.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Canon PowerShot SX420 IS article cover photo

Key Features

Jan 05 2016

Announced

20 megapixels

Resolution

BrandCanon
Sensor Type1/2.3"
SensorCCD
Weight325g
MSRP$299USD

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Overview of the PowerShot SX420 IS

As an aspiring photographer or someone who just wants to capture special moments, a reliable and efficient camera is a must-have. The Canon PowerShot SX420 IS is one such camera that has won the trust of many due to its impressive features and capabilities. With its advanced 20 Megapixel CCD Sensor and 42x Optical Zoom lens, this camera is perfect for capturing landscapes, portraits, and everything in between. In this blog post, we will go through the different aspects of the camera that make it a popular choice amongst photographers and what sets it apart from the competition.

Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Canon PowerShot SX420 IS camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High-resolution sensor
42x optical zoom
Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity
Face Detection technology
HD video recording
Auto mode for easy shooting
Canon brand recognition

Cons

Low-light performance may be lacking
Limited aperture range (f/3.5-f/6.6)
No manual focus or exposure control
No viewfinder (reliant on LCD screen)
May struggle with fast-moving subjects
Battery life could be better
Larger than some compact cameras
May be considered overpriced by some consumers

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Canon PowerShot SX420 IS

Weather sealed
Dimensions104 x 69 x 85mm
Weight325g
Thickness85mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Canon PowerShot SX420 IS is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution230k dots
Body typeSLR-like (bridge)

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Canon PowerShot SX420 IS not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Canon PowerShot SX420 IS does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the PowerShot SX420 IS camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Canon PowerShot SX420 IS has a 20MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 20 pixels. Canon PowerShot SX420 IS has a native ISO range of 100 - 1600 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Jan 05 2016

Announced

100 - 1600

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3"
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution5152 x 3864 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Canon PowerShot SX420 IS camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the PowerShot SX420 IS is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3"

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life195 shots
Battery ModelNB-11LH
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Canon PowerShot SX420 IS supports SD/SDHC/SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Canon PowerShot SX420 IS uses the NB-11LH model of battery pack. This is rated for 195 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Canon PowerShot SX420 IS has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Canon PowerShot SX420 IS boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Canon PowerShot SX420 IS includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with null number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Canon PowerShot SX420 IS?

The Canon PowerShot SX420 IS features a CCD sensor

Is the Canon PowerShot SX420 IS weather sealed?

No the PowerShot SX420 IS does not have weather sealing.

When was the Canon PowerShot SX420 IS announced?

The Canon PowerShot SX420 IS was announced on Jan 05 2016

Does the Canon PowerShot SX420 IS have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the PowerShot SX420 IS does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Canon PowerShot SX420 IS?

The PowerShot SX420 IS has a native ISO range of 100-1600, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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