Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20
95 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
94 Imaging
32 Features
17 Overall
26
Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs
(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
(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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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").
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe 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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Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SD980 IS & Nikon Coolpix L20. The full galleries are available at Canon SD980 IS Gallery & Nikon L20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Nikon L20
| SD980 IS | L20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | August 2009 | February 2009 | More 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 type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement | |
| Screen resolution | 230k | 230k | Equal 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.
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.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD980 IS and L20 is 95 and 94 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L20 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD980 IS | Nikon 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 |