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Canon D20 vs Nikon S5100

Portability
91
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot D20 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon D20 vs Nikon S5100 Key Specs

Canon D20
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 228g - 112 x 71 x 28mm
  • Launched June 2013
Nikon S5100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
  • Introduced August 2010
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Canon D20 vs Nikon S5100 Overview

Below is a in-depth assessment of the Canon D20 and Nikon S5100, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the D20 (12MP) and the S5100 (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The D20 was introduced 2 years later than the S5100 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief view of how the D20 scores versus the S5100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon D20 over the Nikon S5100

 D20 S5100 
IntroducedJune 2013August 2010More recent by 35 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Canon D20

 S5100 D20 

Common features in the Canon D20 and Nikon S5100

 D20 S5100 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon D20 vs Nikon S5100 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon D20 provides exterior measurements of 112mm x 71mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.1") having a weight of 228 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Nikon S5100 has measurements of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Canon D20 and Nikon S5100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the D20 compared to the S5100.

Canon D20 vs Nikon S5100 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D20 and S5100 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Canon D20 vs Nikon S5100 top view buttons comparison

Canon D20 vs Nikon S5100 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the D20 and S5100.

Clearly, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same resolution so you can expect similar quality of photos but you have to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The fresher D20 is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Canon D20 vs Nikon S5100 sensor size comparison

Canon D20 vs Nikon S5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon D20 vs Nikon S5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon D20 Portrait photography information
Nikon S5100 Portrait photography information
33
has manual focus
offers face detect focusing
no manual control
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
21
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon D20 as a Street photography camera
Nikon S5100 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (132g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon D20 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S5100 as a Sports photography camera
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon D20 Travel photography factors
Nikon S5100 Travel photography factors
60
environment proofing
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.9)
62
lighter than others in class (132g)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon D20 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S5100 as a Landscape photography camera
44
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
no manual control
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon D20
Vlogging with Nikon S5100
33
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (132g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
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Canon D20 vs Nikon S5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon D20 and Nikon S5100
 Canon PowerShot D20Nikon Coolpix S5100
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot D20 Nikon Coolpix S5100
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-06-18 2010-08-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Expeed C2
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/2.7-6.6
Macro focusing range 1cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1500 secs
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 228g (0.50 lb) 132g (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 71 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.1") 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID NB-6L EN-EL10
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $299 $200