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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L820

Portability
86
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
Portability
72
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L820 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
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX150 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX170 IS
Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Superseded the Nikon L810
  • Replacement is Nikon L830
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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L820 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Canon SX160 IS versus Nikon L820, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the L820 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was revealed 5 months later than the L820 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX160 IS being a Compact camera and the Nikon L820 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the SX160 IS grades against the L820 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Nikon L820

 SX160 IS L820 
Manually focus Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Canon SX160 IS

 L820 SX160 IS 
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon L820

 SX160 IS L820 
LaunchedJune 2013January 2013Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L820 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX160 IS features external dimensions of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") with a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) and the Nikon L820 has proportions of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") and a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX160 IS versus Nikon L820 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SX160 IS compared to the L820.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L820 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX160 IS and L820 is 86 and 72 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L820 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L820 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing just by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX160 IS and L820.

As you can see, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical resolution and you should expect comparable quality of pictures although you will need to factor the release date of the cameras into account.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L820 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L820 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L820 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon L820 Portrait photography highlights
46
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000 seconds)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
30
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography advice
Nikon L820 Street photography advice
59
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (291g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
38
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
more heavy than competition (470g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Sports photography details
Nikon L820 Sports photography details
50
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
great battery life (380 shots)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
36
great zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography factors
Nikon L820 Travel photography factors
68
great battery life (380 shots)
lighter than competition (291 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
56
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (23mm)
very long reach (675mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (470g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography advice
Nikon L820 Landscape photography advice
51
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
great battery life (380 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
36
fairly wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging details
Nikon L820 Vlogging details
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
lighter than competition (291 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
24
fairly wide (23mm)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than competition (470g)
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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L820 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Nikon L820
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISNikon Coolpix L820
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Nikon Coolpix L820
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-06-21 2013-01-29
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 23-675mm (29.3x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.0-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 -
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 291 grams (0.64 pounds) 470 grams (1.04 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life 380 pictures 320 pictures
Type of battery AA AA
Battery ID 2 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $199 $192