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Canon G11 vs Nikon L20

Portability
83
Imaging
34
Features
48
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot G11 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon G11 vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon G11
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-4.5) lens
  • 375g - 112 x 76 x 48mm
  • Revealed December 2009
  • New Model is Canon G12
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Canon G11 vs Nikon L20 Overview

Below is a extensive overview of the Canon G11 vs Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the G11 (10MP) and the L20 (10MP) is fairly close but the G11 (1/1.7") and L20 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

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The G11 was introduced 11 months later than the L20 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the G11 scores against the L20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon G11 over the Nikon L20

 G11 L20 
AnnouncedDecember 2009February 2009More recent by 11 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon G11

 L20 G11 
Display size3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon G11 and Nikon L20

 G11 L20 
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon G11 vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon G11 features outer measurements of 112mm x 76mm x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") having a weight of 375 grams (0.83 lbs) whilst the Nikon L20 has dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).

Compare the Canon G11 vs Nikon L20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the G11 versus the L20.

Canon G11 vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the G11 and L20 is 83 and 94 respectively.

Canon G11 vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon G11 vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to picture the contrast in sensor measurements purely by researching a spec sheet. The visual underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the G11 and L20.

Clearly, both of these cameras come with the identical MP but different sensor measurements. The G11 has the larger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF simpler. The younger G11 should have an edge in sensor technology.

Canon G11 vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon G11 vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G11 vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G11 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Portrait photography camera
47
manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW files
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon G11
Street photography with Nikon L20
64
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
more heavy than average (375g)
54
lighter than average (135 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon G11 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Sports photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
low resolution (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect AF
16
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon G11 Travel photography advice
Nikon L20 Travel photography advice
57
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (375 grams)
low resolution (10MP)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
55
lighter than average (135g)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G11 Landscape photography highlights
Nikon L20 Landscape photography highlights
46
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8")
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
doesn't have Timelapse recording
27
screen size is decent (3")
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon G11
Vlogging with Nikon L20
60
decently wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
slow max aperture (f2.8)
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
more heavy than average (375 grams)
24
lighter than average (135g)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have microphone socket
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Canon G11 vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G11 and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot G11Nikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot G11 Nikon Coolpix L20
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-12-16 2009-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.5 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 2.8 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 data format H.264 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 375 grams (0.83 pounds) 135 grams (0.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 112 x 76 x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 47 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 169 not tested
Other
Battery model NB-7L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $600 $120