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Canon N vs Nikon L20

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Canon PowerShot N front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon N vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon N
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 195g - 79 x 60 x 29mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Canon N vs Nikon L20 Overview

Following is a thorough comparison of the Canon N versus Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the N (12MP) and the L20 (10MP) is very similar and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The N was introduced 3 years after the L20 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the N matches up versus the L20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon N over the Nikon L20

 N L20 
IntroducedJanuary 2013February 2009More modern by 48 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon N

 L20 N 
Display dimension3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon N and Nikon L20

 N L20 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus

Canon N vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon N enjoys external measurements of 79mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Nikon L20 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon N versus Nikon L20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the N and the L20.

Canon N vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the N and L20 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Canon N vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon N vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading technical specs. The pic underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the N and L20.

As you have seen, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Canon N to offer you greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The fresher N is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon N vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon N vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon N Portrait photography factors
Nikon L20 Portrait photography factors
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
19
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon N Street photography information
Nikon L20 Street photography information
65
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
54
lighter than average in class (135 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon N Sports photography details
Nikon L20 Sports photography details
24
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery (200 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
16
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon N as a Travel photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Travel photography camera
61
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
really wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery (200 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
55
lighter than average in class (135g)
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon N Landscape photography factors
Nikon L20 Landscape photography factors
35
really wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (2.8 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery (200 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
26
screen size is good (3")
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon N Vlogging information
Nikon L20 Vlogging information
72
really wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of external microphone jack
24
lighter than average in class (135 grams)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
no microphone port
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Canon N vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon N and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot NNikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot N Nikon Coolpix L20
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-01-07 2009-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 5 -
Sensor type CMOS 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 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 2248 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 80 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-224mm (8.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Max aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 2.8 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech PureColor II G touch -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash options - Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 195 grams (0.43 pounds) 135 grams (0.30 pounds)
Dimensions 79 x 60 x 29mm (3.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") 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 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-9L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $299 $120