Clicky

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L120

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L120 Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Succeeded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX30 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
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Old Model is Nikon L110
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L120 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L120, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the L120 (14MP) is fairly well matched and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The SX20 IS was announced 7 months earlier than the L120 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon L120 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SX20 IS scores versus the L120 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Nikon L120

 SX20 IS L120 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Canon SX20 IS

 L120 SX20 IS 
RevealedFebruary 2011July 2010More modern by 7 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon L120

 SX20 IS L120 
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L120 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX20 IS has got physical measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Nikon L120 has sizing of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") and a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L120 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the SX20 IS compared to the L120.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L120 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX20 IS and L120 is 65 and 75 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L120 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes simply by looking at specs. The pic here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX20 IS and L120.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Nikon L120 to resolve extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L120 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX20 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon L120
37
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
33
MP count good (14MP)
features face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography advice
Nikon L120 Street photography advice
49
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competitors in class (600 grams)
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX20 IS
Sports photography with Nikon L120
34
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
43
incredible zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon L120 Travel photography advice
53
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
decently wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (600g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (525mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography information
Nikon L120 Landscape photography information
35
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
40
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX20 IS
Vlogging with Nikon L120
50
decently wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (600g)
27
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Nikon L120
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISNikon Coolpix L120
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Nikon Coolpix L120
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-07-06 2011-02-09
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focus range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.80 m 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 600 gr (1.32 lbs) 431 gr (0.95 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 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 - 330 images
Battery type - AA
Battery model 4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $500 $300