CHDK for Canon SX20 is Camera

The strange thing is CHDK for Canon SX20 has never come out of beta. But I know people who use it without a problem. You might encounter few bugs here and there but it works pretty good apart from that. CHDK gives you lot of things which you would have loved to have origally with your Canon SX20 Camera. Things like Superfine Jpeg format, Raw files, Battery meter etc.

I know some are worried to use CHDK because CHDK allows setting up extreme Aperture and Shutter speeds and thinking this might damage the camera. But is not likely to harm your camera since the camera's mechanical limitations will prevent extreme values from being executed.

Download the fireware from here,

chdk.wikia.com/wiki/SX20

Here's the CHDK Installation Guide,

chdk.wikia.com/wiki/File:CHDK_Installation_Guide.pdf

Remember you can't use CHDK with memory cards bigger than 4GB. So always install it into a 4GB SDHC memory card or lower. But if you plan to use Raw format then make sure you buy a fastest 4GB SDHC card in the market for this. Raw format files are pretty big so speed matters. Here are several recommendations,

• Lexar Professional Series 4 GB 133x Class 6 SDHC card ( 75$ )  - Little too expensive.
• SanDisk Extreme 4 GB SDHC Card 13$  - ( Better choice ) - Read Reviews

Canon FA-DC67A 67mm Filter Adapter for SX20

Canon has launched their own custom filter adapter for new SX30 IS camera. Since SX30 Camera takes 58mm filter adapters which we use on SX20 and SX10 their new 67mm filter adapter should works with Canon SX20 camera too. This new 67mm filter adapter is known as Canon FA-DC67A Filter Adapter. It's a quality product and best thing for any camera in this Canons Ultra zoom line.

But the cons are It's lot costly than other 58mm filter adapters.Canon FA-DC67A filter adapter is around 24$ while Janko 58mm filter adapter is only around $10. Also this is a 67mm filter adapter so you need 67mm filters for this. 67mm filters are expensive than 58mm filter adapters.

58mm Filter Adapter for Canon SX 20 Camera

If you want to use filters for your Canon SX20 camera then you need to have a Filter Adapter. And You can use one of those standard filter adapters because the len barrel of Canon SX20 Camera doesn't have screws. It has grooves so it needs a custom filter adapter. There are several filter adapters for Canon SX20 camera but the cheapest one is JJC 58mm filter adapter you can buy from Amazon for just $10.

You might feel its bit hard to mount at first. Don't miss understand it can't be mounted. Just you need to find the correct way to do it. Also don't try to force it in. You will able to do it after trying few times. Once you understand the methods there won't be any more problems. This 58mm filter adapter for Canon SX20 is metel so its pretty solid thing.

You can use only 58mm filters with this filter adapter so make sure you buy 58mm filters for this. Also you can use this 58mm filter adapter with Canon SX1, Canon SX10, Canon SX20 and Canon SX30 cameras.

Canon SX20 IS Camera

Canon SX20 IS Camera is the successor if Canons revolutionary Canon Powershot SX10 IS Camera. Both cameras are identical apart from few upgrades such as SX20 IS has 12.1 MP resolution while Canon SX10 IS has 10 MP. Also Canon SX20 IS has improved Smart AUTO intelligently selects from 22 predefined shooting situations. I think the best feature Canon SX20 IS has over SX10 IS is the HD Video (720p) capability. Both Canon SX20 IS camera and Canon SX10 IS Camera has same 20x wide-angle optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer.

Canon has already announced and selling the successor of Canon SX20 IS camera which is Canon SX30 IS camera. Canon SX30 IS has most of the features Canon Ultra zoom camera fans expected from Canon SX20 IS. Main feature is better optical zoom. Unlike SX20 IS and SX10 IS cameras, Canon SX30 IS camera has a whopping 35x optical zoom.So if you are going to buy a new ultra zoom camera then Canon SX30 IS the camera for you. No use going for SX20 IS unless you get a  very good deal for it. It's not that this SX20 IS camera is bad. It is an excellent Ultra zoom compact camera just like older SX10 IS camera. But SX30 IS is the latest camera in Ultra zoom line and it has more features which makes it is better then old 2 models.