Canon S120 vs Nikon L20
92 Imaging
37 Features
57 Overall
45
94 Imaging
32 Features
17 Overall
26
Canon S120 vs Nikon L20 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-120mm (F1.8-5.7) lens
- 217g - 100 x 59 x 29mm
- Released November 2013
- Earlier Model is Canon S110
(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
- Revealed February 2009
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Its time to look more in depth at the Canon S120 vs Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the S120 (12MP) and the L20 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the S120 (1/1.7") and L20 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor dimensions.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe S120 was released 4 years after the L20 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the S120 scores vs the L20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot S120 & Nikon Coolpix L20. The complete galleries are provided at Canon S120 Gallery & Nikon L20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Nikon L20
| S120 | L20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | November 2013 | February 2009 | Newer by 59 months | |
| Manual focus | More accurate focusing | |||
| Screen resolution | 922k | 230k | Crisper screen (+692k dot) | |
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon S120
| L20 | S120 |
|---|
Common features in the Canon S120 and Nikon L20
| S120 | L20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen sizing | |
| Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen |
Canon S120 vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon S120 has outside dimensions of 100mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 217 grams (0.48 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).
Check out the Canon S120 vs Nikon L20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the S120 and the L20.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S120 and L20 is 92 and 94 respectively.
Canon S120 vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by checking out technical specs. The pic below will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S120 and L20.
As you can tell, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The S120 because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Canon S120 will provide extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The newer S120 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.
Canon S120 vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon S120 vs Nikon L20 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot S120 | Nikon Coolpix L20 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot S120 | Nikon Coolpix L20 |
| Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Released | 2013-11-26 | 2009-02-03 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Digic 6 | - |
| Sensor type | BSI-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 | 12MP | 10MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
| Highest native ISO | 12800 | 1600 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 64 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/1.8-5.7 | f/3.1-6.7 |
| Macro focusing range | 3cm | 5cm |
| Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Screen resolution | 922k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Screen technology | TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | 12.0 frames per sec | - |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 7.00 m | - |
| Flash options | Auto, on, slow synchro, off | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 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 | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 217 gr (0.48 lbs) | 135 gr (0.30 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | 56 | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 21.3 | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.9 | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | 246 | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 230 shots | - |
| Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | NB-6LH | 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 |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Launch pricing | $449 | $120 |