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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9300

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9300 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
43
Overall
40

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9300 Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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
  • Replacement is Canon SX30 IS
Nikon S9300
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 215g - 109 x 62 x 31mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Older Model is Nikon S9100
  • Later Model is Nikon S9500
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9300 Overview

Here is a detailed assessment of the Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9300, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and S9300 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX20 IS was brought out 24 months prior to the S9300 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon S9300 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise view of how the SX20 IS scores against the S9300 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Nikon S9300

 SX20 IS S9300 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon S9300 over the Canon SX20 IS

 S9300 SX20 IS 
LaunchedJuly 2012July 2010Fresher by 24 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Nikon S9300

 SX20 IS S9300 
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9300 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX20 IS provides external dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Nikon S9300 has measurements of 109mm x 62mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9300 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view size comparison of the SX20 IS compared to the S9300.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9300 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and S9300 is 65 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9300 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by going through specifications. The visual underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX20 IS and S9300.

Plainly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Nikon S9300 to show greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The older SX20 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9300 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9300 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S9300 Portrait photography highlights
37
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/500s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography information
Nikon S9300 Street photography information
49
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than average in class (600g)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (215 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX20 IS
Sports photography with Nikon S9300
34
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
47
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (200 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S9300 as a Travel photography camera
53
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
quite wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (600g)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
66
lighter than competitors (215 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (200 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX20 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon S9300
35
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inch)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
41
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery life (200 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging highlights
Nikon S9300 Vlogging highlights
50
quite wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
heavier than average in class (600 grams)
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (215 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic support
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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon S9300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Nikon S9300
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISNikon Coolpix S9300
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Nikon Coolpix S9300
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-07-06 2012-07-16
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 0cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 6.9 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 lb) 215g (0.47 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 109 x 62 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 - 200 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA EN-EL12
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/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $500 $249