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Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon L20

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon SD1200 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 160g - 86 x 55 x 22mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 95 IS
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon L20 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Canon SD1200 IS versus Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and the L20 (10MP) is very similar and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD1200 IS was announced very close to the L20 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the SD1200 IS scores vs the L20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Nikon L20

 SD1200 IS L20 

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon SD1200 IS

 L20 SD1200 IS 
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Nikon L20

 SD1200 IS L20 
AnnouncedFebruary 2009February 2009Similar generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD1200 IS comes with physical measurements of 86mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Nikon L20 has dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD1200 IS versus Nikon L20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the SD1200 IS and the L20.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SD1200 IS and L20 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements just by going over technical specs. The photograph underneath might provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SD1200 IS and L20.

As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs but you have to consider the production date of the products into consideration.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Portrait photography info
Nikon L20 Portrait photography info
25
comes with face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Street photography highlights
Nikon L20 Street photography highlights
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
54
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Sports photography advice
Nikon L20 Sports photography advice
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
16
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Travel photography highlights
Nikon L20 Travel photography highlights
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
55
lighter than competitors in class (135g)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Landscape photography factors
Nikon L20 Landscape photography factors
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no manual exposure
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse mode
27
nice screen size (3")
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Vlogging features
Nikon L20 Vlogging features
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone port
24
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have microphone support
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISNikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Nikon Coolpix L20
Also called Digital IXUS 95 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-02-18 2009-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD 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 10 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-105mm (3.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m -
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off 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
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160g (0.35 lbs) 135g (0.30 lbs)
Dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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 260 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $250 $120