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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L610

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L610 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
33
Overall
37

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L610 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
  • Launched July 2010
  • Succeeded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Later Model is Canon SX30 IS
Nikon L610
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-350mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 240g - 108 x 69 x 34mm
  • Announced August 2012
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L610 Overview

Lets look closer at the Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L610, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and L610 (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was revealed 3 years before the L610 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon L610 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SX20 IS scores vs the L610 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Nikon L610

 SX20 IS L610 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon L610 over the Canon SX20 IS

 L610 SX20 IS 
AnnouncedAugust 2012July 2010More modern by 25 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon L610

 SX20 IS L610 
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L610 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX20 IS offers outside dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Nikon L610 has proportions of 108mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") having a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L610 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX20 IS against the L610.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L610 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and L610 is 65 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L610 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L610 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes simply by going over specifications. The picture below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX20 IS and L610.

Plainly, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Nikon L610 to offer more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L610 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L610 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L610 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography features
Nikon L610 Portrait photography features
37
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
30
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX20 IS
Street photography with Nikon L610
49
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than others in class (600g)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (240 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography highlights
Nikon L610 Sports photography highlights
34
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
45
incredible zoom range (25-350mm 14.0 x zoom)
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (120 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon L610 as a Travel photography camera
53
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (600g)
low resolution (12MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
66
lighter than others in class (240g)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (350mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery (120 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX20 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon L610
35
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
41
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery (120 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L610 as a Vlogging camera
50
relatively wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
heavier than others in class (600 grams)
33
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (240 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone support
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L610 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Nikon L610
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISNikon Coolpix L610
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Nikon Coolpix L610
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-07-06 2012-08-09
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-350mm (14.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 grams (1.32 pounds) 240 grams (0.53 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 108 x 69 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.7" x 1.3")
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 - 120 photos
Battery style - AA
Battery ID 4 x AA 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $500 $150