Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L820
64 Imaging
32 Features
53 Overall
40


72 Imaging
39 Features
28 Overall
34
Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L820 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
- 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
- Announced March 2009
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
- 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
- Released January 2013
- Superseded the Nikon L810
- Newer Model is Nikon L830

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L820 Overview
Below is a comprehensive overview of the Canon SX1 IS versus Nikon L820, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and L820 (16MP) but they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX1 IS was introduced 4 years before the L820 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).
Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the SX1 IS grades versus the L820 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L820 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX1 IS and Nikon Coolpix L820. The whole galleries are available at Canon SX1 IS Gallery and Nikon L820 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Nikon L820
SX1 IS | L820 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Canon SX1 IS
L820 | SX1 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2013 | ![]() | March 2009 | More recent by 46 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.8" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Nikon L820
SX1 IS | L820 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L820 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX1 IS features exterior measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") and a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) while the Nikon L820 has proportions of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs).
See the Canon SX1 IS versus Nikon L820 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX1 IS against the L820.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX1 IS and L820 is 64 and 72 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L820 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very difficult to picture the difference in sensor measurements simply by researching a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX1 IS and L820.
Clearly, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should count on the Nikon L820 to result in more detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures much more aggressively. The older SX1 IS will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L820 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L820 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Nikon Coolpix L820 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Nikon Coolpix L820 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2009-03-27 | 2013-01-29 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.16 x 4.62mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | 23-675mm (29.3x) |
Max aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | f/3.0-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | 0cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.8 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0 frames/s | 8.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.20 m | - |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | - |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/500s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 615g (1.36 lb) | 470g (1.04 lb) |
Dimensions | 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") | 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 life | - | 320 photos |
Battery style | - | AA |
Battery model | - | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) | - |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/MMC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $600 | $192 |