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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P510

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P510 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P510 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
  • Superseded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX30 IS
Nikon P510
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 555g - 120 x 83 x 102mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Old Model is Nikon P500
  • Renewed by Nikon P520
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P510 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon P510, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and P510 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was manufactured 24 months before the P510 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SX20 IS grades vs the P510 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Nikon P510

 SX20 IS P510 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon P510 over the Canon SX20 IS

 P510 SX20 IS 
IntroducedJuly 2012July 2010More modern by 24 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon P510

 SX20 IS P510 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P510 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX20 IS enjoys exterior 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) while the Nikon P510 has proportions of 120mm x 83mm x 102mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 4.0") with a weight of 555 grams (1.22 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon P510 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the SX20 IS against the P510.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P510 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX20 IS and P510 is 65 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P510 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P510 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to see the difference between sensor sizes simply by reading specs. The pic underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX20 IS and P510.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Nikon P510 to offer more detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P510 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P510 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P510 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography info
Nikon P510 Portrait photography info
37
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/500s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
44
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography factors
Nikon P510 Street photography factors
49
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than average in class (600g)
51
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competition (555 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX20 IS
Sports photography with Nikon P510
34
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
51
incredible zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon P510 as a Travel photography camera
53
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
rather wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (600g)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great zoom (1000mm)
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
heavier than competition (555g)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX20 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon P510
35
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
47
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX20 IS
Vlogging with Nikon P510
50
rather wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
more heavy than average in class (600g)
27
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic support
heavier than competition (555 grams)
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P510 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Nikon P510
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISNikon Coolpix P510
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Nikon Coolpix P510
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-07-06 2012-07-05
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD BSI-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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-1000mm (41.7x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.0-5.9
Macro focus distance 0cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.80 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (15, 30fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (120, 30fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lb) 555 grams (1.22 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 120 x 83 x 102mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 4.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 200 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA EN-EL5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $500 $600