Camera Reviews - Canon PowerShot SX20IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (20x Optical Zoom)

The new Canon PowerShot SX20IS is a new mega-zoom model that has just been release in mid-August this year (2009). It is the successor to the very successful SX10IS model that has been reining the bestseller's charts for quite some time now.

One of the new features found on the Canon PowerShot SX20IS is that it can record HD videos at 720p. This model uses a 28-50mm wide-angle lens that has a 20x optical zoom. The zoom can be used while recording videos. It also has a 12.1MP image sensor, and like most new Canon models, uses a DIGIC 4 processor that produces excellent image quality.

On the back of the camera, you will find a 2.5-inch LCD display that can be rotated at various angles. There is also a button that is dedicated for recording videos that lets you record movies with a push of the button.

As a successor to the SX10IS, the new Canon PowerShot SX20IS did not disappoint. It retains many of the great features of the older model (user-friendly interface) and tops it up with a couple more. The image quality is quite stunning considering its price range. They were even better in many ways than those taken on some of my more expensive DSLR cameras.

At first glance, the Canon PowerShot SX20IS may seem a little bulky, but it is actually surprising comfortable to hold. It has a good, comfortable grip and feels very durable. With the looks of this new model, it looks like Canon is set to rein the mega-zoom camera market for a long time to come. Currently, the Canon PowerShot SX20IS retails at around $399 each.

The Best Digital Camera For Under $250 - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 (10x Optical Zoom)

Specifications: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 digital camera is essentially a point-and-shoot camera with a powerful zoom (10x in optical zoom and 2x in digital zoom). It can also be considered as a compact mega-zoom camera. It has a 10MP image sensor, a brilliant 3-inch LCD display (230'000 dots) and is powered by a rechargeable Li-ion battery. This model supports Memory Stick Pro and Memory Stick Duo flash memory cards. It also has 11MB of integrated memory.

Design: Due to the powerful zoom, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 is a little larger than regular point-and-shoot digital cameras. It measures at 4.2 x 1.9 x 2.7 inches and weighs in at 9.8 ounces. Nevertheless, it will still fit well into your jacket pocket. It has an all-black external casing and generally looks like a professional hybrid DLSR camera. The flash is located on top of the lens and flips upwards when you need to use it. You will find the on/off button, mode dial and zoom dial on top of the camera, while most of the other controls are located behind the camera next to the LCD display.

Features & Performance: The layout of the controls on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 is extremely easy to use. To access the various settings and modes, all you need to do is to press the 'Menu' button on the back (unlike the 'Home' and Menu' buttons found on some older Sony models. The interface is quite user friendly and you will quickly get the hang of it after a couple of shot. It is quite a speedy camera (for a mega-zoom), with a shot-to-shot time of 2.1 seconds. The photo quality was also very good, especially at lower ISO ranges (below 400). The images were also surprisingly sharp for a mega-zoom model. It also records HD videos at 720p and more importantly, you can use the zoom function while recording. All in all, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 is an extremely buy for the price and the features that comes with it.