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Canon 30D vs Nikon L120

Portability
58
Imaging
46
Features
39
Overall
43
Canon EOS 30D front
 
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37

Canon 30D vs Nikon L120 Key Specs

Canon 30D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 784g - 144 x 106 x 74mm
  • Revealed April 2006
  • Succeeded the Canon 20D
  • Refreshed by Canon 40D
Nikon L120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Succeeded the Nikon L110
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Canon 30D vs Nikon L120 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Canon 30D versus Nikon L120, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Canon and Nikon. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the 30D (8MP) and L120 (14MP) and the 30D (APS-C) and L120 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The 30D was released 5 years before the L120 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon 30D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon L120 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the 30D matches up vs the L120 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 30D over the Nikon L120

 30D L120 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Canon 30D

 L120 30D 
RevealedFebruary 2011April 2006Newer by 59 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon 30D and Nikon L120

 30D L120 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Canon 30D vs Nikon L120 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon 30D provides outside measurements of 144mm x 106mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 784 grams (1.73 lbs) while the Nikon L120 has dimensions of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") having a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs).

Check the Canon 30D versus Nikon L120 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the 30D versus the L120.

Canon 30D vs Nikon L120 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the 30D and L120 is 58 and 75 respectively.

Canon 30D vs Nikon L120 top view buttons comparison

Canon 30D vs Nikon L120 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specifications. The pic here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the 30D and L120.

To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The 30D because of its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Nikon L120 will provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged 30D will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon 30D vs Nikon L120 sensor size comparison

Canon 30D vs Nikon L120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 30D vs Nikon L120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 30D as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Portrait photography camera
51
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
MP count low (8 megapixels)
33
decent MP (14MP)
includes face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon 30D as a Street photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Street photography camera
52
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
no image stabilization
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon 30D Sports photography factors
Nikon L120 Sports photography factors
44
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
low fps (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
MP count low (8MP)
43
long zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon 30D Travel photography factors
Nikon L120 Travel photography factors
42
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
MP count low (8MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (525mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 30D Landscape photography highlights
Nikon L120 Landscape photography highlights
46
focusing manually
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
MP count low (8MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
40
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 30D as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L120 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
27
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone support
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Canon 30D vs Nikon L120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 30D and Nikon L120
 Canon EOS 30DNikon Coolpix L120
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS 30D Nikon Coolpix L120
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2006-04-04 2011-02-09
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed C2
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 22.5 x 15mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 337.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3504 x 2336 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest boosted ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-525mm (21.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 326 -
Crop factor 1.6 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (ISO 100) 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 784 gr (1.73 lbs) 431 gr (0.95 lbs)
Dimensions 144 x 106 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 59 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 736 not tested
Other
Battery life - 330 pictures
Type of battery - AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $773 $300