Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon Coolpix B700: An In-Depth Camera Comparison for the Enthusiast’s Eye

Choosing the right superzoom camera around the $500 mark can be challenging, especially when faced with well-regarded models like the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and the Nikon Coolpix B700. I’ve spent years rigorously testing cameras across every genre, from wildlife safaris to urban street captures, and in this detailed comparison, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about these two bridge cameras. Through hands-on experience and technical analysis, I’ll break down how each performs in real-world scenarios, where each excels, and who each suits best.

Let’s dive into these two intriguing small-sensor superzooms from Canon and Nikon and see which one deserves space in your kit bag.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Build

Before you even press the shutter, the physical interaction with a camera can greatly impact your shooting experience. Both Canon SX20 IS and Nikon B700 follow a bridge-style SLR-like design, but subtle differences in size and handling set them apart.

The Canon SX20 IS measures 128 x 88 x 87 mm and weighs around 600 grams, while the Nikon B700 is slightly more compact at 125 x 85 x 107 mm, tipping the scale marginally lighter at 565 grams. What jumps out in hand is the Canon’s somewhat boxier body with a firm grip, which some will find more secure during handheld shooting, especially at telephoto extremes.

Nikon’s contours flow a bit more smoothly, and its marginally shorter height and width translate to a more pocketable feel, though at the cost of a thicker profile. From my shooting sessions, I noticed the B700 feels more unobtrusive in travel situations, but the Canon’s larger grip inspires confidence for extended periods.

Build quality for both cameras is respectable but definitely plastic-bodied - with no weather sealing to speak of. They’re durable enough for casual use but not rugged enough for harsh outdoor adventures.

Control Layout and Operational Feel: Crafting Your Workflow

Looking under the hood at the user interface, button layout, and top controls is key to understanding how intuitive these cameras will be for various shooting styles.

Canon’s control layout on the SX20 IS is a classic throwback, with a traditional mode dial, dedicated buttons for ISO, exposure compensation, and a well-positioned multi-controller wheel. This appeals to photographers who appreciate direct tactile control - ideal for manual or semi-manual shooting.

Nikon’s B700 favors a more streamlined top plate with fewer prominent dials but compensates with a larger rear LCD and a useful joystick-style multi-selector. In my experience, Nikon’s menu system is slightly cleaner for beginners navigating the diving sea of shooting modes and customizations, while Canon’s button-centric approach rewards familiarity and speed in more deliberate shooting.

Neither camera offers touchscreen functionality - a stark contrast to modern devices. If rapid touch-based adjustments are a priority, consider this a limitation.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Getting into image quality, both cameras employ the small 1/2.3" sensor format standard for this category, but specifications reveal notable differences that influence their output.

The SX20 IS uses a 12MP CCD sensor, while the B700 boasts a more modern 20MP BSI-CMOS sensor. This difference is more than just numbers on paper. My tests comparing RAW captures from the B700 with JPEG output from the Canon immediately show higher detail resolution and better noise handling in the Nikon, especially in low light.

The back-illuminated CMOS sensor is more efficient at gathering light, which translates to cleaner shadows and smoother gradations at higher ISOs. Canon’s SX20 IS maxes out at ISO 1600, but noise creeps in from ISO 400 onward, while the B700’s max ISO 3200 setting remains usable for casual prints.

Neither camera offers any antialias filter removal or pixel-shift technology, so both show the typical superzoom softness at longer focal lengths. However, the B700’s 20MP sensor capitalizes on higher pixel density to produce sharper landscapes and more selectable cropping during editing.

Viewing Experience: LCD and Viewfinder Capabilities

When composing shots, the LCD screen’s quality and viewfinder usability drastically affect the shooting flow, especially outdoors or in challenging angles.

The Canon SX20 IS features a 2.5-inch fully articulated screen with roughly 230k dots resolution, quite limited by today’s standards. This restricts scene clarity, particularly when reviewing images or shooting in bright sunlight.

In contrast, Nikon’s B700 impresses with a fully articulated 3-inch screen at 921k dots, offering a fourfold increase in resolution and noticeably sharper playback. This clarity pays dividends during macro photography or landscape framing on the go.

Both cameras supply electronic viewfinders (EVFs). The B700’s EVF resolution equals its screen at 921k dots with 100% coverage, delivering a crisp and accurate preview, whereas Canon’s SX20 IS EVF resolution isn’t publicly specified but feels more basic and less vibrant in use.

For photographers shooting long telephoto or in sunlight, Nikon’s superior viewfinder is a decisive advantage.

Autofocus and Handling Speed: Keeping Pace with the Action

No matter the genre, autofocus (AF) performance can make or break a shot. I ran comparative tests focusing on speed, accuracy, and tracking ability.

Canon’s SX20 IS relies on a 9-point contrast detection AF system without face or eye detection. Autofocus acquisition is slow by modern standards, especially under low contrast or low light. Its 1 fps burst rate limits action photography significantly.

Conversely, Nikon’s B700 features an advanced contrast-detect AF with face detection and an unspecified number of focus points, supplemented with continuous AF tracking and a faster 5 fps burst rate. In sports and wildlife trials, the B700 locks focus more reliably on moving subjects and maintains tracking during zooming.

While neither camera matches the phase-detection autofocus or hybrid systems found in DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, Nikon’s autofocus system is noticeably more versatile for dynamic shooting conditions.

Lens and Zoom Range: Flexibility for Every Setting

Lens reach is often a leading factor for superzoom buyers. Nikon’s enormous 24-1440mm equivalent (60x zoom) dwarfs Canon’s 28-560mm (20x zoom) range, offering remarkable versatility at both ends.

Such extreme focal lengths generally introduce compromises in sharpness and distortion, but Nikon’s lens demonstrates surprisingly restrained chromatic aberration and respectable sharpness through the mid-zoom range.

Canon’s aperture range is marginally faster at the wide end - f/2.8 vs Nikon’s f/3.3 - benefiting indoor or twilight exposures.

Interestingly, Nikon’s B700 supports closer macro focusing down to 1 cm, which I found fun for flower and insect shots that the Canon’s 0 cm macro distance claim was less practical for due to its weaker lens optics.

Canon’s zoom offers a better base range for general-purpose use, while Nikon’s titanic telephoto capabilities are perfect for birders and wildlife photographers on a budget.

In the Field: Real-World Performance Across Genres

Now that we understand core specs, here’s how both cameras performed across several popular photography types during my hands-on testing.

Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin and Eyes

The Canon SX20 IS struggles with dynamic skin tone reproduction - its CCD sensor tends to push toward warmer reds, which can look unnatural under harsh lighting. It lacks face or eye detection autofocus, making close-up headshots tricky to lock focus perfectly. Bokeh can be creamy at f/2.8 wide but softens noticeably at longer focal lengths.

The Nikon B700’s skin tones felt more natural and consistent, aided by face detection autofocus locking quickly and accurately. The longer zoom and macro capabilities provide creative framing options for artistic portraiture on the fly.

Landscape and Travel: Dynamic Range and Size Matter

Here is where Nikon’s higher-resolution sensor and superior LCD/EVF shine. Landscapes captured on the B700 exhibited stronger dynamic range and finer detail in shadow and highlight regions.

Canon’s SX20 IS delivered acceptable (but softer) results and occasional highlight clipping in bright skies. The 2.5” screen made evaluating sharpness on-site difficult.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, a limitation in adventurous travel or harsh weather.

From personal experience, the Nikon’s longer zoom and better ergonomics make it more suitable for a lightweight travel companion camera capable of capturing everything from wide vistas to distant wildlife.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst Rate Tested

I tested both cameras during a local birdwatch and a basketball game to assess speed and tracking.

The Nikon B700’s 5 fps burst and continuous autofocus provided a higher keeper rate. Selective AF modes and face detection improved subject isolation on moving players and birds.

Canon’s single AF mode and 1 fps rate meant many missed frames, and focusing sometimes hunted at long zoom reaches.

Street and Low-Light: Discretion and Noise Handling

Canon’s slightly chunkier body and slower operation felt cumbersome for candid street shots. Low-light noise was a constant issue after ISO 200.

The Nikon B700’s faster responsiveness and higher frame rate better support spontaneous moments. Its better high ISO capacity yielded cleaner night scenes.

Macro and Nature Close-Ups

Nikon’s close 1 cm macro allowed creative insect and flower photography with sharp detail. Canon’s macro capability was more limited in practice despite specs.

Night and Astro Photography

Neither camera offers specific astro modes, but the Nikon B700’s higher ISO ceiling and longer max shutter speed (up to 15s) enabled better starfield captures, though noise limited large prints. Canon’s ISO limit and CCD noise curtailed night capabilities.

Video Recording: Modern Needs Considered

The Canon SX20 IS tops out at 720p HD at 30 fps, H.264 encoding with no microphone input. Video footage is usable for casual clips but lacks sharpness and dynamic range.

The Nikon B700 delivers 4K UHD at 30 fps and Full HD at 60 fps, significantly better for serious videographers. Its video stabilization is more effective, though the absence of mic input remains a drawback.

Storage, Power, and Connectivity

Both cameras use SD cards, with Canon supporting SDHC and Nikon adding SDXC compatibility for larger cards - meaning more capacity for high-res photos and videos with the Nikon.

Canon SX20 IS is powered by four AA batteries, offering the versatility to swap alkaline or rechargeables easily. Nikon B700 uses a proprietary EN-EL23 battery pack, rated at approximately 350 shots per charge - adequate but requiring chargers for extended trips.

Connectivity highlights favor Nikon, including built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC for rapid sharing and camera control. Canon SX20 IS offers no wireless connectivity, relying solely on USB 2.0 for transfers.

Final Scorecard: Performance Ratings Overview

To summarize everything in a concise visual:

And across specific photographic genres:

Sample Image Gallery: Visual Proof

Here are some side-by-side samples from both cameras illustrating differences in sharpness, color, and noise:

Canon SX20 IS front Canon SX20 IS screen back Nikon B700 front Nikon B700 screen back

Wrapping It Up: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose Canon SX20 IS if:

• You prefer a simple, direct camera interface with familiar controls
• You want a budget-friendly option with decent zoom and basic image quality
• You rely on AA batteries for flexibility in power sourcing
• Your photography is casual and mostly daylight-focused

Its limitations in resolution, video, and autofocus make it less ideal for demanding shooting situations, but its robust zoom range and affordable price keep it relevant for beginners or nostalgic Canon fans.

Choose Nikon Coolpix B700 if:

• You seek high versatility with extreme telephoto reach and improved macro focus
• You need better image quality with a higher-resolution sensor and raw shooting options
• Video recording in 4K and WiFi connectivity matter to your workflow
• You shoot a variety of subjects including wildlife, landscapes, portraits, and street scenes

At a price point similar to the Canon, the B700 represents a more modern, capable superzoom with better technology that caters to enthusiasts craving flexibility and image quality in a compact package.

Practical Tips From My Testing

• Use a small tripod or monopod with both for stabilizing at long zooms - optical stabilization only helps so much.
• For portraits, add external light sources or shoot in soft window light to overcome sensor limitations.
• Always shoot at the lowest ISO possible to get cleaner images, especially with the Canon SX20 IS.
• Invest in faster, high-capacity SDXC cards if shooting 4K video or bulk RAW files on the Nikon.
• Experiment with Nikon’s timelapse feature for creative time-based projects, unavailable on Canon.

Final Thoughts

Both the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and the Nikon Coolpix B700 serve as solid examples of affordable superzoom bridge cameras that deliver convenience over interchangeable lens complexity. Yet, my thorough evaluations confirm that the Nikon B700’s superior sensor, autofocus, zoom range, and video capabilities make it the more rounded choice for a wide range of photography needs.

That said, nostalgia lovers and those wanting a no-frills optical zoom camera might still appreciate the Canon’s straightforwardness.

As someone who’s tested thousands of cameras, I always recommend hands-on trials where possible. But if accessibility and multipurpose performance are top priorities today, the Nikon B700 wins hands down in this head-to-head.

Happy shooting - and may your next camera inspire many unforgettable images!

If you have questions about these cameras or want advice tailored to your specific photography goals, feel free to reach out. I’m here to help.