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Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon SD980 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 100 x 53 x 23mm
  • Released August 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 200 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
  • Announced February 2009
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Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the L20 (10MP) is pretty similar and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was unveiled 7 months after the L20 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summary of how the SD980 IS matches up versus the L20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Nikon L20

 SD980 IS L20 
AnnouncedAugust 2009February 2009More modern by 7 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon SD980 IS

 L20 SD980 IS 

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Nikon L20

 SD980 IS L20 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SD980 IS features outside dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and 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).

Analyze the Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the SD980 IS compared to the L20.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD980 IS and L20 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to see the gap between sensor sizes only by going over a spec sheet. The picture underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD980 IS and L20.

As you can see, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Canon SD980 IS to offer more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The fresher SD980 IS is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Portrait photography camera
20
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
19
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
54
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography factors
Nikon L20 Sports photography factors
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
16
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Travel photography camera
58
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
55
lighter than competition in class (135g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Landscape photography camera
38
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
26
screen size is good (3")
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L20 as a Vlogging camera
30
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
24
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISNikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Nikon Coolpix L20
Also called Digital IXUS 200 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-08-19 2009-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.50 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150 gr (0.33 lb) 135 gr (0.30 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 53 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 Overall 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-6L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing - $120