Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Focus:

• 1-point AF (fixed centre or selected face)
• Focus lock
• Autofocus modes: single, continuous
• Face recognition technology
• AF assist beam
• Manual focus mode

Flash:

• Flash modes: auto, forced firing, off
• Low speed sync function
• Red-eye reduction function
• Flash exposure lock
• Face Detection with Flash AE Compensation
• Ability to connect an external flash Canon HF-DC1

Shooting modes:

• Auto, Programme AE, Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Manual, Simple, Portrait, Landscape, Night mode, Children and pets, Indoor, Special scene (Night, Sunset, Foliage, Snow, Beach, fireworks, aquarium, ISO 3200 mode), video clip recording mode with scene recognition technology
• My Colours: Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, B&W, Custom Colours (Limited)
• Shooting methods:
  • Frame-by-frame
  • Continuous (1.3 fps and until memory card is full)
  • Self-timer
  • Self-timer with detection of a new face in the frame

Standard battery life:

• Approximately 130 shots
• Approximately 420 minutes of playback

Menu languages

English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Chinese (Traditional), Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Greek, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Thai, Arabic, Ukrainian, Romanian, Farsi

Optional accessories:

• Soft Case DCC-750
• High Power Flash HF-DC1
• AC adapter kit ACK800
• Charger Kit CBK4-300
• Rechargeable NiMH batteries NB4-300 (370 shots or 540 minutes of playback per charge)

From the press release:

Canon introduces the new PowerShot SX20 IS, a compact digital camera with a wide-angle lens and a 20x zoom that allows you to get as close as possible to your subjects.

The PowerShot SX20 IS features a 2.5-inch vari-angle PureColor LCD screen. Combined with the ability to fully manual control, it provides complete creative freedom when shooting. The multifunctional camera, which replaced the SX10 IS model, is capable of recording high-definition video (1280x720 px). A separate button is provided for quick access to this function. There is the possibility of taking pictures while recording video. An HDMI port lets you view videos and photos on any compatible TV.

The PowerShot SX20 IS is equipped with a wide-angle (28mm) lens with a 20x optical zoom. The 28-60mm focal length range provides flexibility in composition. With two motors, ultrasonic (USM) and voice coil (VCM), focus and zooming is fast and quiet. It is great for shooting nature and sporting events.

The 12.1-megapixel sensor captures every detail of every moment, while the DIGIC 4 image processor guarantees high quality, fast response time and improved noise reduction. An image stabilizer compensates for camera shake and prevents blur. The 4-speed stabilization system allows you to shoot in low light conditions without a flash - for example, indoors or at night.

Smart Auto mode with Scene Detection makes shooting extremely easy. This function analyzes the presence of faces in the frame, distance, movement, colour and brightness, and then selects one of 22 settings for best results.

Face detection, self-timer and red-eye reduction help you get great results effortlessly. In addition, the PowerShot SX20 features Motion Detection with Continuous AF/AE. The camera tracks the desired subject and continuously adjusts focus and exposure. In Burst mode, autofocus occurs between shots.

i-Contrast intelligent contrast correction technology optimizes dynamic range to preserve all image details in low light situations, such as nature portraits where high contrast between highlights and shadows can make it difficult to get a balanced image.

The PowerShot SX20 IS has a built-in hot shoe that can be used with a variety of flash units, including the Speedlite EX series (including 270EX, 220EX, 430EX II, 580EX II), as well as the ST-E2 flash transmitter and remote shoe cable OC-E3.