Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L21
87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31
93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23
Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L21 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed August 2009
(Full Review)
- 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
- Released February 2010
Photography Glossary Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L21 Overview
Lets take a more detailed look at the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon L21, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the SX120 IS (10MP) and L21 (8MP) and the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and L21 (1/2.3") provide different sensor size.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe SX120 IS was brought out 5 months earlier than the L21 which means that they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SX120 IS scores vs the L21 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS & Nikon Coolpix L21. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX120 IS Gallery & Nikon L21 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Nikon L21
| SX120 IS | L21 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | More precise focusing | |||
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon SX120 IS
| L21 | SX120 IS |
|---|
Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon L21
| SX120 IS | L21 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | August 2009 | February 2010 | Similar age | |
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen resolution | 230k | 230k | Equal screen resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX120 IS has outer measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") having a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Nikon L21 has proportions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon L21 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 working with at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SX120 IS and the L21.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and L21 is 87 and 93 respectively.
Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is very tough to imagine the difference between sensor measurements only by reviewing specs. The photograph underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX120 IS and L21.
All in all, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SX120 IS featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Canon SX120 IS will offer more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures more aggressively.
Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Canon | Nikon |
| Model | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 |
| Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Revealed | 2009-08-19 | 2010-02-03 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Digic 4 | Expeed C2 |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.5" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
| Sensor area | 24.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 8 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
| Min native ISO | 80 | 64 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 36-360mm (10.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/2.8-4.3 | f/3.1-6.7 |
| Macro focus distance | 1cm | 5cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 6.3 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3 inch | 2.5 inch |
| Screen resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| 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 speed | 1.0 frames per second | - |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 3.00 m | - |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash sync | 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) |
| Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone 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 | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 285 grams (0.63 lbs) | 169 grams (0.37 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall 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 model | 2 x AA | 2 x AA |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC, Internal |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch price | $249 | $180 |