Canon SD4500 IS vs Nikon L20
94 Imaging
33 Features
27 Overall
30


94 Imaging
32 Features
17 Overall
26
Canon SD4500 IS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 36-360mm (F3.4-5.6) lens
- 190g - 101 x 59 x 22mm
- Revealed July 2011
- Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 1000 HS / IXY 50S
(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
- Announced February 2009

Canon SD4500 IS vs Nikon L20 Overview
In this article, we will be matching up the Canon SD4500 IS versus Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SD4500 IS (10MP) and the L20 (10MP) is pretty comparable and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SD4500 IS was unveiled 2 years later than the L20 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SD4500 IS matches up vs the L20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SD4500 IS vs Nikon L20 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS and Nikon Coolpix L20. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SD4500 IS Gallery and Nikon L20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD4500 IS over the Nikon L20
SD4500 IS | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 30 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon SD4500 IS
L20 | SD4500 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SD4500 IS and Nikon L20
SD4500 IS | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Canon SD4500 IS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to carry your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SD4500 IS offers physical dimensions of 101mm x 59mm x 22mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) while the Nikon L20 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).
Check the Canon SD4500 IS versus Nikon L20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the SD4500 IS and the L20.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD4500 IS and L20 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD4500 IS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison
Normally, its hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing merely by going through specs. The photograph here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD4500 IS and L20.
All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same MP so you should expect comparable quality of files although you may want to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The more modern SD4500 IS provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD4500 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD4500 IS vs Nikon L20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS | Nikon Coolpix L20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS | Nikon Coolpix L20 |
Also called | Digital IXUS 1000 HS / IXY 50S | - |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2011-07-19 | 2009-02-03 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | 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 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 36-360mm (10.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.4-5.6 | f/3.1-6.7 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 8 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 6.00 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 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) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 190 grams (0.42 lbs) | 135 grams (0.30 lbs) |
Dimensions | 101 x 59 x 22mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.9") | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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-9L | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/MMCplus HC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $300 | $120 |