Exploring the Features of Canon SX220 HS: A Beginner's Guide

Canon SX220 HS is a high-performance digital camera known for its exceptional image quality, compact design, and user-friendly features. It is perfect for beginners who want to take their photography skills to the next level. In this blog post, we will explore the various features of the Canon SX220 HS that make it a must-have camera for beginners.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Canon SX220 HS article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 07 2011

Announced

12 megapixels

Resolution

BrandCanon
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weightnullg
MSRP$349USD

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Overview of the SX220 HS

If you are looking for a digital camera that delivers outstanding image quality, has a compact design, and comes with user-friendly features, Canon SX220 HS is the camera for you. This camera is perfect for beginners who want to explore photography and experiment with different settings. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the features of Canon SX220 HS, its pros and cons, and why it is a great camera for beginner photographers. Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate photographer, this guide will help you get the most out of Canon SX220 HS. So, let's get started!

Canon SX220 HS Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Canon SX220 HS 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

Quality images
High resolution
Great zoom range
Optical image stabilization
Compact and lightweight
Easy to use
Large LCD screen
Fast burst mode
Good low-light performance
1080p video recording
Face detection

Cons

No manual control options
Limited aperture range
No viewfinder
Short battery life
No touchscreen
Limited ISO range
No RAW shooting
Lens may suffer from chromatic aberration
No hot shoe for external flash
No GPS connectivity.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Canon SX220 HS

Weather sealed
Dimensions106 x 59 x 33mm
Weightnullg
Thickness33mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Canon SX220 HS 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 Resolution461k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 461k dots. This makes the Canon SX220 HS 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 SX220 HS does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the SX220 HS camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Canon SX220 HS has a 12MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 12 pixels. Canon SX220 HS has a native ISO range of 100 - 3200 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Feb 07 2011

Announced

100 - 3200

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4000 x 3000 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 SX220 HS 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 SX220 HS 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-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/ MMCplus/HC MMCplus
Battery Life210 shots
Battery ModelNB-5L
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Canon SX220 HS supports SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/ MMCplus/HC MMCplus 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 SX220 HS uses the NB-5L model of battery pack. This is rated for 210 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 SX220 HS 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 SX220 HS boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/3200s, 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 SX220 HS includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 9 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 SX220 HS?

The Canon SX220 HS features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Canon SX220 HS weather sealed?

No the SX220 HS does not have weather sealing.

When was the Canon SX220 HS announced?

The Canon SX220 HS was announced on Feb 07 2011

Does the Canon SX220 HS have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the SX220 HS 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 SX220 HS?

The SX220 HS has a native ISO range of 100-3200, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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