Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L20
91 Imaging
36 Features
44 Overall
39


94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26
Canon SX240 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
- 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
- 224g - 106 x 61 x 33mm
- Revealed February 2012
- Succeeded the Canon SX230 HS
- Updated by Canon SX260 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
- Announced February 2009

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L20 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Canon SX240 HS and 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 SX240 HS (12MP) and the L20 (10MP) is very similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX240 HS was released 3 years after the L20 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SX240 HS scores versus the L20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L20 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX240 HS and Nikon Coolpix L20. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX240 HS Gallery and Nikon L20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX240 HS over the Nikon L20
SX240 HS | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 37 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon SX240 HS
L20 | SX240 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX240 HS and Nikon L20
SX240 HS | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | No Touch friendly display |
Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX240 HS offers external measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Nikon L20 has specifications of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).
See the Canon SX240 HS and Nikon L20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SX240 HS versus the L20.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SX240 HS and L20 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, its tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing specs. The pic underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX240 HS and L20.
All in all, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Canon SX240 HS to offer extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more modern SX240 HS will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX240 HS vs Nikon L20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS | Nikon Coolpix L20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX240 HS | Nikon Coolpix L20 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2012-02-07 | 2009-02-03 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 5 | - |
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 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-500mm (20.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.5-6.8 | 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 sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | PureColor II TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (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 jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 224 grams (0.49 lbs) | 135 grams (0.30 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 61 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 All around 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 | 230 photographs | - |
Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6L | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $0 | $120 |