Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon L20
95 Imaging
34 Features
27 Overall
31


94 Imaging
32 Features
17 Overall
26
Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon L20 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SD960 IS & Nikon Coolpix L20. The whole galleries are available at Canon SD960 IS Gallery & Nikon L20 Gallery.
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 size | 3" | ![]() | 2.8" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Common features in the Canon SD960 IS and Nikon L20
SD960 IS | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2009 | ![]() | February 2009 | Same age |
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Nikon L20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS | Nikon 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 |