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Canon SD4000 IS vs Nikon L20

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon SD4000 IS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon SD4000 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-105mm (F2.0-5.3) lens
  • 175g - 100 x 54 x 23mm
  • Revealed August 2010
  • Other Name is IXUS 300 HS / IXY 30S
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
  • Launched February 2009
Photography Glossary

Canon SD4000 IS vs Nikon L20 Overview

Below is a complete review of the Canon SD4000 IS versus Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SD4000 IS (10MP) and the L20 (10MP) is pretty well matched and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD4000 IS was revealed 19 months later than the L20 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SD4000 IS scores vs the L20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD4000 IS over the Nikon L20

 SD4000 IS L20 
LaunchedAugust 2010February 2009More recent by 19 months

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon SD4000 IS

 L20 SD4000 IS 

Common features in the Canon SD4000 IS and Nikon L20

 SD4000 IS L20 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon SD4000 IS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD4000 IS provides exterior dimensions of 100mm x 54mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Nikon L20 has dimensions 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 SD4000 IS versus Nikon L20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SD4000 IS versus the L20.

Canon SD4000 IS vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD4000 IS and L20 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD4000 IS vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD4000 IS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to picture the difference between sensor measurements only by reading through specifications. The graphic here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SD4000 IS and L20.

To sum up, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution and you should expect similar quality of photographs although you should always factor the release date of the products into consideration. The fresher SD4000 IS should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon SD4000 IS vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon SD4000 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD4000 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD4000 IS Portrait photography information
Nikon L20 Portrait photography information
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
19
manual focus not available
no manual mode
no external flash support
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD4000 IS Street photography highlights
Nikon L20 Street photography highlights
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
54
lighter than competition in class (135g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD4000 IS
Sports photography with Nikon L20
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (4.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
16
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD4000 IS Travel photography features
Nikon L20 Travel photography features
64
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
lack of Timelapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
55
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD4000 IS Landscape photography info
Nikon L20 Landscape photography info
40
reasonably wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
26
pretty good screen size (3")
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD4000 IS Vlogging advice
Nikon L20 Vlogging advice
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
24
lighter than competition in class (135g)
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic jack
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Canon SD4000 IS vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD4000 IS and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot SD4000 ISNikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS Nikon Coolpix L20
Other name IXUS 300 HS / IXY 30S -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-08-02 2009-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
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
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-105mm (3.8x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-5.3 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 175 grams (0.39 lbs) 135 grams (0.30 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 54 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" 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 model NB-6L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/MMCplus HC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $300 $120