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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P90

Portability
65
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P90 front
Portability
70
Imaging
34
Features
37
Overall
35

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P90 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
  • Older Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX30 IS
Nikon P90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 400g - 114 x 99 x 83mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Previous Model is Nikon P80
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P90 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon P90, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the P90 (12MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was brought out 18 months after the P90 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SX20 IS grades against the P90 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Nikon P90

 SX20 IS P90 
IntroducedJuly 2010February 2009Newer by 18 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon P90 over the Canon SX20 IS

 P90 SX20 IS 
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon P90

 SX20 IS P90 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P90 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS enjoys physical dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Nikon P90 has dimensions of 114mm x 99mm x 83mm (4.5" x 3.9" x 3.3") with a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon P90 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the SX20 IS against the P90.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P90 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and P90 is 65 and 70 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P90 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by looking at a spec sheet. The picture underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and P90.

Clearly, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same MP therefore you should expect similar quality of files however you really should take the production date of the products into consideration. The younger SX20 IS should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P90 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX20 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon P90
36
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/500s)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
28
has manual focus
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography features
Nikon P90 Street photography features
49
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than competition (600g)
55
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon P90 as a Sports photography camera
33
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
37
long zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography info
Nikon P90 Travel photography info
52
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
quite wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (600g)
low MP (12MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
long reach (624mm)
MP count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon P90 as a Landscape photography camera
35
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
42
has manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging highlights
Nikon P90 Vlogging highlights
49
quite wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
heavier than competition (600 grams)
24
relatively wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic socket
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Nikon P90
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISNikon Coolpix P90
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Nikon Coolpix P90
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-07-06 2009-02-03
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
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) 26-624mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 lbs) 400g (0.88 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 114 x 99 x 83mm (4.5" x 3.9" x 3.3")
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 ID 4 x AA EN-EL5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $500 $700