Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P90
65 Imaging
34 Features
40 Overall
36
70 Imaging
34 Features
37 Overall
35
Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P90 Key Specs
(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
(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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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").
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe 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.
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P90 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and Nikon Coolpix P90. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX20 IS Gallery and Nikon P90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Nikon P90
| SX20 IS | P90 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | July 2010 | February 2009 | Newer by 18 months | |
| Display type | Fully Articulated | Tilting | Fully Articulating display | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Nikon P90 over the Canon SX20 IS
| P90 | SX20 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display size | 3" | 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 resolution | 230k | 230k | The 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P90 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Nikon 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 |