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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L840

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L840 front
Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
48
Overall
43

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L840 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
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Succeeded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Updated by Canon SX30 IS
Nikon L840
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-855mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 538g - 114 x 89 x 96mm
  • Released February 2015
  • Old Model is Nikon L830
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L840 Overview

In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon L840, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and L840 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was brought out 5 years prior to the L840 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SX20 IS grades vs the L840 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Nikon L840

 SX20 IS L840 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon L840 over the Canon SX20 IS

 L840 SX20 IS 
ReleasedFebruary 2015July 2010More modern by 56 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon L840

 SX20 IS L840 
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L840 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX20 IS has external dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Nikon L840 has specifications of 114mm x 89mm x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8") having a weight of 538 grams (1.19 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon L840 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SX20 IS compared to the L840.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L840 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX20 IS and L840 is 65 and 67 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L840 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L840 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes just by looking at specs. The pic here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX20 IS and L840.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Nikon L840 to resolve greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L840 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L840 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L840 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L840 as a Portrait photography camera
37
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
36
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX20 IS
Street photography with Nikon L840
49
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
heavier than competition (600 grams)
51
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than competition in class (538 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography advice
Nikon L840 Sports photography advice
34
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
51
incredible zoom range (23-855mm 37.2 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
features tracking focus
good battery (590 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon L840 Travel photography advice
53
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (600g)
low MP (12MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
57
good battery (590 per charge)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (23mm)
long reach (855mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (538g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography details
Nikon L840 Landscape photography details
35
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
43
decently wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
good battery (590 shots)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX20 IS
Vlogging with Nikon L840
50
fairly wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
heavier than competition (600 grams)
27
decently wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have mic port
heavier than competition in class (538g)
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L840 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Nikon L840
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISNikon Coolpix L840
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Nikon Coolpix L840
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-07-06 2015-02-10
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 dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
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) 23-855mm (37.2x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.0-6.5
Macro focusing distance 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 7.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 6.90 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 600 gr (1.32 lb) 538 gr (1.19 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 114 x 89 x 96mm (4.5" x 3.5" x 3.8")
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 - 590 pictures
Style of battery - AA
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SC/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $500 $400