Canon S90 vs Nikon L20
92 Imaging
34 Features
42 Overall
37


94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26
Canon S90 vs Nikon L20 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 28-105mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 195g - 100 x 58 x 31mm
- Introduced April 2010
- Successor is Canon S95
(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
- Released February 2009

Canon S90 vs Nikon L20 Overview
Below is a comprehensive review of the Canon S90 versus Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the S90 (10MP) and the L20 (10MP) is fairly close but the S90 (1/1.7") and L20 (1/2.3") posses different sensor dimensions.

The S90 was released 15 months later than the L20 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the S90 grades vs the L20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon S90 vs Nikon L20 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot S90 & Nikon Coolpix L20. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon S90 Gallery & Nikon L20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon S90 over the Nikon L20
S90 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 15 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon S90
L20 | S90 |
---|
Common features in the Canon S90 and Nikon L20
S90 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly display |
Canon S90 vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon S90 enjoys outer measurements of 100mm x 58mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") with a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Nikon L20 has measurements 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 S90 versus Nikon L20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the S90 against the L20.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the S90 and L20 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Canon S90 vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor measurements only by viewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the S90 and L20.
As you can see, both of those cameras come with the identical resolution but different sensor measurements. The S90 offers the larger sensor which is going to make obtaining bokeh simpler. The fresher S90 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon S90 vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon S90 vs Nikon L20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot S90 | Nikon Coolpix L20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot S90 | Nikon Coolpix L20 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2010-04-08 | 2009-02-03 |
Body design | 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 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 |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 64 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-105mm (3.8x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | f/3.1-6.7 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 461 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 6.50 m | - |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/500 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
Video format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 195g (0.43 lbs) | 135g (0.30 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 100 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") | 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 | 20.2 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.0 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 185 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery model | NB-6L | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $599 | $120 |