Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L20
91 Imaging
35 Features
43 Overall
38
94 Imaging
32 Features
17 Overall
26
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 223g - 106 x 62 x 33mm
- Revealed July 2011
- Succeeded the Canon SX210 IS
- Successor is Canon SX240 HS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
- Released February 2009
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Let's look a little more closely at the Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L20, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the L20 (10MP) is fairly similar and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe SX230 HS was revealed 2 years after the L20 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX230 HS scores against the L20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX230 HS and Nikon Coolpix L20. The full galleries are available at Canon SX230 HS Gallery and Nikon L20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Nikon L20
| SX230 HS | L20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | July 2011 | February 2009 | More modern by 30 months | |
| Manual focus | Dial exact focus | |||
| Display resolution | 461k | 230k | Clearer display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon SX230 HS
| L20 | SX230 HS |
|---|
Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Nikon L20
| SX230 HS | L20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal display measurements | |
| Selfie screen | Neither features selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX230 HS enjoys physical measurements of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Nikon L20 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).
See the Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the SX230 HS compared to the L20.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and L20 is 91 and 94 respectively.
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizes just by reading a spec sheet. The pic below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX230 HS and L20.
Clearly, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Canon SX230 HS to offer extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The newer SX230 HS will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.
Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon L20 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix L20 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
| Model | Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Nikon Coolpix L20 |
| Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
| Revealed | 2011-07-19 | 2009-02-03 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | - |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
| Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 64 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 28-392mm (14.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
| Max aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.1-6.7 |
| Macro focus range | 5cm | 5cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Screen resolution | 461 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Screen technology | PureColor II TG TFT LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/2000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 3.0fps | - |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 3.50 m | - |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
| Video data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | BuiltIn | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 223g (0.49 pounds) | 135g (0.30 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 210 pictures | - |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery model | NB-5L | 2 x AA |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Launch cost | $399 | $120 |