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Canon A1200 vs Nikon L20

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
19
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot A1200 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon A1200
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 185g - 98 x 63 x 31mm
  • Revealed January 2011
Nikon L20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
  • Released February 2009
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Canon A1200 vs Nikon L20 Overview

Below is a in-depth overview of the Canon A1200 and Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the A1200 (12MP) and the L20 (10MP) is very well matched and they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A1200 was brought out 24 months later than the L20 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a short summation of how the A1200 matches up versus the L20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Nikon L20

 A1200 L20 
ReleasedJanuary 2011February 2009More recent by 24 months

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon A1200

 L20 A1200 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Canon A1200 and Nikon L20

 A1200 L20 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon A1200 comes with outer measurements of 98mm x 63mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Nikon L20 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).

Check the Canon A1200 and Nikon L20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the A1200 vs the L20.

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A1200 and L20 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading through specs. The visual here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the A1200 and L20.

All in all, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Canon A1200 to resolve extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos much more aggressively. The more recent A1200 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A1200 Portrait photography features
Nikon L20 Portrait photography features
26
includes face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A1200 Street photography highlights
Nikon L20 Street photography highlights
46
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
54
lighter than average (135 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A1200 Sports photography details
Nikon L20 Sports photography details
23
includes tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
16
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A1200 Travel photography factors
Nikon L20 Travel photography factors
55
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery life (200 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
55
lighter than average (135 grams)
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A1200
Landscape photography with Nikon L20
27
pretty wide (28mm)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery life (200 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
27
screen size is good (3 inch)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1200 Vlogging highlights
Nikon L20 Vlogging highlights
27
pretty wide (28mm)
includes face detection focusing
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone socket
24
lighter than average (135 grams)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone jack
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Canon A1200 vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1200 and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot A1200Nikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot A1200 Nikon Coolpix L20
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-01-05 2009-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
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 surface 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
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185 gr (0.41 lbs) 135 gr (0.30 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life 200 pictures -
Battery format AA -
Battery model 2 x AA 2 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $109 $120