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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L120

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L120 Key Specs

Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 291g - 111 x 73 x 44mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX150 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX170 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
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Replaced the Nikon L110
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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L120 Overview

Following is a extensive analysis of the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon L120, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the L120 (14MP) is very close and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX160 IS was introduced 2 years after the L120 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SX160 IS scores against the L120 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Nikon L120

 SX160 IS L120 
IntroducedJune 2013February 2011More modern by 29 months
Manual focus Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Canon SX160 IS

 L120 SX160 IS 
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon L120

 SX160 IS L120 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L120 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX160 IS features exterior measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") with a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) while the Nikon L120 has sizing of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") having a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon L120 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX160 IS compared to the L120.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L120 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX160 IS and L120 is 86 and 75 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L120 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes just by researching specs. The image here should give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX160 IS and L120.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Canon SX160 IS to render more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The newer SX160 IS should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L120 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Portrait photography camera
46
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
33
MP count good (14MP)
offers face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography information
Nikon L120 Street photography information
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (291 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
48
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX160 IS
Sports photography with Nikon L120
51
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
43
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Travel photography camera
69
good battery pack (380 shots)
lighter than competition in class (291g)
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very long zoom (448mm)
no Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
60
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (525mm)
no Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX160 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon L120
51
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
good battery pack (380 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse recording
40
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX160 IS
Vlogging with Nikon L120
31
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (291g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone socket
27
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone jack
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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Nikon L120
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISNikon Coolpix L120
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Nikon Coolpix L120
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-06-21 2011-02-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 291g (0.64 pounds) 431g (0.95 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1")
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 life 380 images 330 images
Battery format AA AA
Battery model 2 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $199 $300