Manual: Download the official Canon SX20 IS PDF manual (provided by Canon).
Approved Memory Cards & Capacity: The Canon SX20 IS is compatible with SD, SDHC, MMC and HC MMCplus memory cards.
| Card Size |
No. of Images (Fine) |
Min. of HD Video (720p) |
| 8GB |
2,505 |
42 min |
| 16GB |
5,010 |
84 min |
| 32GB |
10,020 |
168 min |
Battery Life & Charger Info:
| Compatible Charger |
Compatible Battery |
Battery Life |
| AA NiMH Charger |
AA NiMH |
450 shots |
Recommended Bags & Cases: The Canon SX20 IS is 5.04″ long by 3.46″ tall by 3.43″ wide. Here are the best cases and bags that fit the SX20 IS like a glove.
| All Purpose |
Compact |
Stylish |
Case Logic DCB-304
High Zoom Bag |
Canon PSC-4000
Leather Case |
Lowepro Exchange
Messenger Bag |
Filter Size & Adapters: The Canon SX20 IS can accept 67mm filters with the help of the Canon FA-DC67A Filter adapter. Here are my recommended filters.
| 67mm UV |
67mm Polarizer |
67mm ND 3 Stop |
67mm ND 10 Stop |
| B+W, Hoya, Tiffen |
B+W, Hoya, Tiffen |
B+W, Hoya, Tiffen |
B+W, Hoya |
Compatible External Speedlites (Flashes):
| Portable |
All Purpose |
Powerful |
Professional |
| Canon 270EX II |
Canon 320EX |
Canon 430EX II |
Canon 580EX II |
Other Compatible Accessories:
| HDMI Cable |
HTC-100 HDMI to Mini-HDMI cable for HDTV photo/video playback |
Initial Setup:
| Setting |
Selection |
Manual |
| Highest Image Size & Quality |
Select JPEG (L) |
Pg. 70 |
| Highest Image Quality Compression |
Select FINE |
Pg. 70 |
| ISO (Outdoors/Bright Light) |
Select an ISO of 80 |
Pg. 73 |
| ISO (Indoors/Low Light) |
Select Auto or Manually Set between 400 to 1600 |
Pg. 73 |
| White Balance |
Select Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash or Custom |
Pg. 74 |
Cool Effects:
| Effect |
Selection |
Manual |
| Shoot in Black and White |
FUNC/SET → My Colors → B/W |
Pg. 76 |
| Increase Color Saturation |
FUNC/SET → My Colors → V |
Pg. 76 |
| Subject in Color/Background Black & White |
SCN Mode → FUNC/SET → Color Accent (icon: Eyedropper+A) |
Pg. 103 |
| Swap Color with Another |
SCN Mode → FUNC/SET → Color Swap (icon: Eyedropper+S) |
Pg. 104 |
| Panoramic Shots |
SCN mode → FUNC/SET → Stitch Assist (icon: Box w/ left or right arrow) |
Pg. 105 |
Better Control & Performance:
| Setting |
Selection |
Manual |
| Close-ups |
Select Macro Mode (left arrow) |
Pg. 72 |
| Quick burst of shots |
FUNC/SET → Drive Mode → Continuous (icon: three boxes) |
Pg. 75 |
| Imprint the Time & Date |
MENU → Shooting tab (icon : camera) → Date Stamp |
Pg. 64 |
| Include Yourself in the Photo |
Select the Self-Timer (down arrow) |
Pg. 65 |