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Canon SX200 IS vs Nikon L20

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
37
Overall
35
Canon PowerShot SX200 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon SX200 IS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon SX200 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-336mm (F3.4-5.3) lens
  • 247g - 103 x 61 x 38mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Renewed by Canon SX210 IS
Nikon L20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Canon SX200 IS vs Nikon L20 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon SX200 IS vs Nikon L20, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX200 IS (12MP) and the L20 (10MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX200 IS was revealed 4 months after the L20 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SX200 IS scores versus the L20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX200 IS over the Nikon L20

 SX200 IS L20 
Manual focus More precise focus

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon SX200 IS

 L20 SX200 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX200 IS and Nikon L20

 SX200 IS L20 
AnnouncedMay 2009February 2009Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SX200 IS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SX200 IS offers outer measurements of 103mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Nikon L20 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).

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Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the SX200 IS versus the L20.

Canon SX200 IS vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX200 IS and L20 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX200 IS vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX200 IS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX200 IS and L20.

Clearly, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Canon SX200 IS to show greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively.

Canon SX200 IS vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX200 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX200 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX200 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon L20
28
has manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX200 IS Street photography details
Nikon L20 Street photography details
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (247g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
54
lighter than average in class (135g)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX200 IS
Sports photography with Nikon L20
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
16
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX200 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon L20 Travel photography advice
62
lighter than competition (247 grams)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
very long zoom (336mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
55
lighter than average in class (135g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX200 IS Landscape photography details
Nikon L20 Landscape photography details
42
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
26
screen size is decent (3")
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX200 IS
Vlogging with Nikon L20
29
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (247g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone port
24
lighter than average in class (135 grams)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
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Canon SX200 IS vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX200 IS and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot SX200 ISNikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX200 IS Nikon Coolpix L20
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-05-14 2009-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-336mm (12.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Max aperture f/3.4-5.3 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing range 0cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.20 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro, Manual Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
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 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG 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 247g (0.54 pounds) 135g (0.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 103 x 61 x 38mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 ID NB-5L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/MMCplus HC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $329 $120