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Canon S120 vs Nikon L20

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot S120 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon S120 vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon S120
(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
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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Canon S120 vs Nikon L20 Overview

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.

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The 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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Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Nikon L20

 S120 L20 
RevealedNovember 2013February 2009Newer by 59 months
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon S120 vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S120 and L20 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon S120 vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S120 vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S120 Portrait photography advice
Nikon L20 Portrait photography advice
42
focusing manually
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
19
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon S120 Street photography features
Nikon L20 Street photography features
65
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
offers touch focus
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition in class (217g)
54
lighter than others in class (135g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon S120 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Sports photography camera
38
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
16
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon S120 Travel photography information
Nikon L20 Travel photography information
67
offers touch focus
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
more heavy than competition in class (217g)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
55
lighter than others in class (135g)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
low MP (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon S120
Landscape photography with Nikon L20
57
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
26
pretty good screen size (3")
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon S120 Vlogging highlights
Nikon L20 Vlogging highlights
35
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (217 grams)
24
lighter than others in class (135 grams)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
no external mic jack
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Canon S120 vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S120 and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot S120Nikon 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