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Canon SX130 IS vs Nikon L120

Portability
85
Imaging
34
Features
33
Overall
33
Canon PowerShot SX130 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
Portability
75
Imaging
36
Features
38
Overall
36

Canon SX130 IS vs Nikon L120 Key Specs

Canon SX130 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-336mm (F3.4-5.6) lens
  • 308g - 113 x 73 x 46mm
  • Revealed August 2010
  • Newer Model is Canon SX150 IS
Nikon L120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Replaced the Nikon L110
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Canon SX130 IS vs Nikon L120 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Canon SX130 IS versus Nikon L120, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX130 IS (12MP) and the L120 (14MP) is very similar and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX130 IS was announced 5 months before the L120 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SX130 IS scores vs the L120 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX130 IS over the Nikon L120

 SX130 IS L120 
Manual focus Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Canon SX130 IS

 L120 SX130 IS 
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX130 IS and Nikon L120

 SX130 IS L120 
ReleasedAugust 2010February 2011Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon SX130 IS vs Nikon L120 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX130 IS has got physical measurements of 113mm x 73mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") having a weight of 308 grams (0.68 lbs) and the Nikon L120 has measurements of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX130 IS versus Nikon L120 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SX130 IS and the L120.

Canon SX130 IS vs Nikon L120 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SX130 IS and L120 is 85 and 75 respectively.

Canon SX130 IS vs Nikon L120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX130 IS vs Nikon L120 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading specifications. The picture underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX130 IS and L120.

Plainly, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Nikon L120 to offer more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively.

Canon SX130 IS vs Nikon L120 sensor size comparison

Canon SX130 IS vs Nikon L120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX130 IS vs Nikon L120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX130 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Portrait photography camera
28
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
33
MP count good (14 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX130 IS
Street photography with Nikon L120
58
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (308 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
48
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX130 IS Sports photography highlights
Nikon L120 Sports photography highlights
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
43
great zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX130 IS
Travel photography with Nikon L120
60
lighter than competitors in class (308g)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
long zoom (336mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
60
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (525mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX130 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon L120
42
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
40
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX130 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L120 as a Vlogging camera
28
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (308 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone port
27
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Canon SX130 IS vs Nikon L120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX130 IS and Nikon L120
 Canon PowerShot SX130 ISNikon Coolpix L120
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX130 IS Nikon Coolpix L120
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-08-19 2011-02-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-336mm (12.0x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.6 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
External flash
AEB
WB 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 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 308 gr (0.68 lbs) 431 gr (0.95 lbs)
Dimensions 113 x 73 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1")
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 - 330 shots
Battery style - AA
Battery model 2 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $250 $300