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Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon L20

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
27
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon SD960 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 145g - 98 x 54 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2009
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 110 IS
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 SD960 IS vs Nikon L20 Overview

Here is a in-depth comparison of the Canon SD960 IS versus Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SD960 IS (12MP) and the L20 (10MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD960 IS was announced within a month of the L20 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SD960 IS scores against the L20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD960 IS over the Nikon L20

 SD960 IS L20 

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon SD960 IS

 L20 SD960 IS 
Screen size3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD960 IS and Nikon L20

 SD960 IS L20 
RevealedFebruary 2009February 2009Same age
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD960 IS has outer dimensions of 98mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 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).

See the Canon SD960 IS versus Nikon L20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the SD960 IS against the L20.

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD960 IS and L20 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing purely by going through technical specs. The photograph below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD960 IS and L20.

As you have seen, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Canon SD960 IS to provide greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively.

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Portrait photography information
Nikon L20 Portrait photography information
26
comes with face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD960 IS
Street photography with Nikon L20
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
54
lighter than competition (135 grams)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
16
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD960 IS
Travel photography with Nikon L20
58
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
55
lighter than competition (135g)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Landscape photography information
Nikon L20 Landscape photography information
36
relatively wide (28mm)
nice screen size (2.8 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
26
screen is a decent size (3")
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Vlogging features
Nikon L20 Vlogging features
30
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
24
lighter than competition (135 grams)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have mic port
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Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD960 IS and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot SD960 ISNikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD960 IS Nikon Coolpix L20
Also Known as Digital IXUS 110 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-18 2009-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD 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 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing distance 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.8" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder 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
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 145 grams (0.32 lb) 135 grams (0.30 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 54 x 22mm (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 rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID NB-4L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch - $120