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Canon SX210 IS vs Nikon L20

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX210 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon SX210 IS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon SX210 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 220g - 103 x 61 x 38mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX200 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX230 HS
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 SX210 IS vs Nikon L20 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Canon SX210 IS and Nikon L20, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the SX210 IS (14MP) and L20 (10MP) but they use the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX210 IS was manufactured 17 months later than the L20 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SX210 IS scores against the L20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX210 IS over the Nikon L20

 SX210 IS L20 
AnnouncedJune 2010February 2009More recent by 17 months
Manual focus Very exact focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon SX210 IS

 L20 SX210 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX210 IS and Nikon L20

 SX210 IS L20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon SX210 IS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX210 IS has physical dimensions of 103mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 220 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Nikon L20 has dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX210 IS and Nikon L20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX210 IS against the L20.

Canon SX210 IS vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX210 IS and L20 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX210 IS vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX210 IS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to envision the difference in sensor measurements merely by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX210 IS and L20.

Clearly, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Canon SX210 IS to provide extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more modern SX210 IS is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon SX210 IS vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX210 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX210 IS vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX210 IS Portrait photography info
Nikon L20 Portrait photography info
38
manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX210 IS Street photography factors
Nikon L20 Street photography factors
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (220 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
54
lighter than others (135g)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX210 IS
Sports photography with Nikon L20
43
great zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
16
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX210 IS Travel photography info
Nikon L20 Travel photography info
68
lighter than average in class (220g)
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
long reach (392mm)
no Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
55
lighter than others (135 grams)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX210 IS Landscape photography highlights
Nikon L20 Landscape photography highlights
48
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
27
screen is a good size (3 inches)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX210 IS
Vlogging with Nikon L20
30
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (220 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic port
24
lighter than others (135 grams)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone jack
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Canon SX210 IS vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX210 IS and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot SX210 ISNikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Nikon Coolpix L20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-06-16 2009-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-392mm (14.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 220 gr (0.49 lb) 135 gr (0.30 lb)
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 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 NB-5L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/MMCplus HC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $226 $120