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Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L21

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L21 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
  • Revealed August 2009
Nikon L21
(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.

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The 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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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Nikon L21

 SX120 IS L21 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"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 
ReleasedAugust 2009February 2010Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and L21 is 87 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography details
Nikon L21 Portrait photography details
33
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/500s)
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
18
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
low MP (8 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Street photography highlights
Nikon L21 Street photography highlights
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
heavier than competition (285 grams)
46
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Sports photography factors
Nikon L21 Sports photography factors
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect autofocus
15
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (8MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Travel photography highlights
Nikon L21 Travel photography highlights
51
has built in flash
great zoom (360mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (285g)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
50
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
low MP (8MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography highlights
Nikon L21 Landscape photography highlights
36
focusing manually
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
21
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
low MP (8 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX120 IS
Vlogging with Nikon L21
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external mic support
heavier than competition (285 grams)
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
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Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISNikon 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