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Canon G15 vs Nikon L20

Portability
86
Imaging
37
Features
58
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot G15 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon G15 vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon G15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 352g - 107 x 76 x 40mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Replaced the Canon G12
  • Newer Model is Canon G16
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
  • Launched February 2009
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Canon G15 vs Nikon L20 Overview

Following is a in depth analysis of the Canon G15 vs Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the G15 (12MP) and the L20 (10MP) is relatively comparable but the G15 (1/1.7") and L20 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor size.

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The G15 was manufactured 3 years after the L20 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a short introduction of how the G15 scores vs the L20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon G15 over the Nikon L20

 G15 L20 
LaunchedSeptember 2012February 2009More modern by 45 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon G15

 L20 G15 

Common features in the Canon G15 and Nikon L20

 G15 L20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Canon G15 vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon G15 features outer measurements of 107mm x 76mm x 40mm (4.2" x 3.0" x 1.6") having a weight of 352 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Nikon L20 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).

Analyze the Canon G15 vs Nikon L20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the G15 against the L20.

Canon G15 vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the G15 and L20 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Canon G15 vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon G15 vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes just by checking out technical specs. The picture here should give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the G15 and L20.

As you can tell, both the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The G15 because of its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Canon G15 will show extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The younger G15 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon G15 vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon G15 vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G15 vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G15 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Portrait photography camera
48
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
19
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon G15 Street photography details
Nikon L20 Street photography details
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
more heavy than competitors (352 grams)
54
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon G15 Sports photography info
Nikon L20 Sports photography info
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
great battery (350 shots)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect AF
16
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon G15 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Travel photography camera
61
great battery (350 CIPA)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (352g)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
55
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G15 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Landscape photography camera
55
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
great battery (350 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have Timelapse function
27
screen size is decent (3 inch)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G15 Vlogging advice
Nikon L20 Vlogging advice
33
fairly wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than competitors (352g)
24
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
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Canon G15 vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G15 and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot G15Nikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot G15 Nikon Coolpix L20
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-09-17 2009-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 5 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 12800 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
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)
Max aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 922k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT PureColor II G LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 352 gr (0.78 lb) 135 gr (0.30 lb)
Physical dimensions 107 x 76 x 40mm (4.2" x 3.0" x 1.6") 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 46 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 19.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 165 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-10L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $499 $120