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Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L20

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Canon PowerShot A1100 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon A1100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 62 x 31mm
  • Launched February 2009
Nikon L20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L20 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Canon A1100 IS versus Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the A1100 IS (12MP) and the L20 (10MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The A1100 IS was announced around the same time to the L20 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the A1100 IS matches up against the L20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A1100 IS over the Nikon L20

 A1100 IS L20 

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon A1100 IS

 L20 A1100 IS 
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution230k115kCrisper screen (+115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A1100 IS and Nikon L20

 A1100 IS L20 
RevealedFebruary 2009February 2009Same generation
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon A1100 IS has outside dimensions of 95mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Nikon L20 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).

See the Canon A1100 IS versus Nikon L20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the A1100 IS vs the L20.

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the A1100 IS and L20 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing merely by looking through specifications. The graphic here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A1100 IS and L20.

Plainly, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Canon A1100 IS to render greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively.

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Portrait photography advice
Nikon L20 Portrait photography advice
26
includes face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
19
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A1100 IS
Street photography with Nikon L20
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
54
lighter than competitors (135g)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Sports photography information
Nikon L20 Sports photography information
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
16
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Travel photography features
Nikon L20 Travel photography features
50
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
55
lighter than competitors (135g)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Landscape photography advice
Nikon L20 Landscape photography advice
27
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no manual control
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
27
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A1100 IS
Vlogging with Nikon L20
27
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone support
24
lighter than competitors (135 grams)
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
missing microphone socket
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Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1100 IS and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot A1100 ISNikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot A1100 IS Nikon Coolpix L20
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-18 2009-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Max aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 115 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150g (0.33 pounds) 135g (0.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model 2 x AA 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $160 $120