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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L830

Portability
65
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L830 front
Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L830 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
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX30 IS
Nikon L830
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-765mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 508g - 110 x 76 x 91mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Superseded the Nikon L820
  • Updated by Nikon L840
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L830 Overview

Here is a complete overview of the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon L830, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and L830 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was announced 4 years prior to the L830 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SX20 IS matches up versus the L830 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Nikon L830

 SX20 IS L830 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon L830 over the Canon SX20 IS

 L830 SX20 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2014July 2010Fresher by 42 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon L830

 SX20 IS L830 
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L830 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX20 IS offers physical measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Nikon L830 has measurements of 110mm x 76mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.6") with a weight of 508 grams (1.12 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon L830 in the latest 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 have chosen during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SX20 IS compared to the L830.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L830 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX20 IS and L830 is 65 and 71 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L830 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L830 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing purely by going through specs. The photograph below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX20 IS and L830.

All in all, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Nikon L830 to produce extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older SX20 IS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L830 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L830 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L830 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon L830 Portrait photography highlights
36
manual focus
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
34
resolution is good (16MP)
comes with face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon L830 as a Street photography camera
49
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (600 grams)
53
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than competition (508 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX20 IS
Sports photography with Nikon L830
33
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
50
excellent zoom range (23-765mm 33.3 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
good battery pack (390 shots)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon L830 Travel photography advice
52
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
pretty wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (600g)
low MP (12MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
good battery pack (390 shots)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (23mm)
great reach (765mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (508g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography information
Nikon L830 Landscape photography information
35
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
43
relatively wide (23mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
good battery pack (390 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L830 as a Vlogging camera
49
pretty wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (600g)
28
relatively wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly display
missing microphone port
more heavy than competition (508 grams)
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L830 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Nikon L830
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISNikon Coolpix L830
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Nikon Coolpix L830
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-07-06 2014-01-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 23-765mm (33.3x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.0-5.9
Macro focusing range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 9.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/500 seconds -
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 (60i, 30p), 1280 x 960 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 pounds) 508g (1.12 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 110 x 76 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 390 photographs
Type of battery - AA
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SC/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $500 $300