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Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L20

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Introduced August 2009
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
  • Launched February 2009
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Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L20 Overview

The following is a detailed assessment of the Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L20, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the L20 (10MP) is pretty similar but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and L20 (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The SX120 IS was introduced 7 months after the L20 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summary of how the SX120 IS grades against the L20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Nikon L20

 SX120 IS L20 
LaunchedAugust 2009February 2009Newer by 7 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon SX120 IS

 L20 SX120 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon L20

 SX120 IS L20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX120 IS has got outer measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) while 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).

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Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX120 IS compared to the L20.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX120 IS and L20 is 87 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions purely by going over technical specs. The image underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX120 IS and L20.

As you can tell, both of the cameras have got the exact same MP albeit different sensor dimensions. The SX120 IS has got the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF harder. The more modern SX120 IS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography factors
Nikon L20 Portrait photography factors
33
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
can't use external flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Street photography camera
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competitors (285 grams)
54
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX120 IS
Sports photography with Nikon L20
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect AF
16
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX120 IS
Travel photography with Nikon L20
51
has built in flash
long reach (360mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (285g)
low MP (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
55
lighter than competition in class (135g)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography features
Nikon L20 Landscape photography features
36
has manual focus
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
27
screen size is good (3 inches)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging highlights
Nikon L20 Vlogging highlights
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than competitors (285g)
24
lighter than competition in class (135g)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic socket
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Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISNikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Nikon Coolpix L20
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-08-19 2009-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-360mm (10.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 285g (0.63 lbs) 135g (0.30 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 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 2 x AA 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $249 $120