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Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon L20

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Canon SX260 HS
(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
  • 231g - 106 x 61 x 33mm
  • Introduced June 2012
  • Superseded the Canon SX240 HS
  • New Model is Canon SX270 HS
Nikon L20
(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
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Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon L20 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Canon SX260 HS and Nikon L20, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX260 HS (12MP) and the L20 (10MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX260 HS was brought out 3 years after the L20 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SX260 HS grades against the L20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Nikon L20

 SX260 HS L20 
AnnouncedJune 2012February 2009More modern by 41 months
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon SX260 HS

 L20 SX260 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Nikon L20

 SX260 HS L20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX260 HS features outside dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Nikon L20 has dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX260 HS and Nikon L20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is a front view scale comparison of the SX260 HS versus the L20.

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SX260 HS and L20 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading specifications. The picture below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX260 HS and L20.

Plainly, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Canon SX260 HS to offer you more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more recent SX260 HS will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Portrait photography factors
Nikon L20 Portrait photography factors
37
focusing manually
supports face detection focus
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Street photography advice
Nikon L20 Street photography advice
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (231 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
54
lighter than competition in class (135g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Sports photography details
Nikon L20 Sports photography details
36
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
16
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than others in class (231g)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
55
lighter than competition in class (135g)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Landscape photography features
Nikon L20 Landscape photography features
41
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
27
screen size is decent (3 inches)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L20 as a Vlogging camera
34
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (231g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have external mic socket
24
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external mic support
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Canon SX260 HS vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX260 HS and Nikon L20
 Canon PowerShot SX260 HSNikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Nikon Coolpix L20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-06-04 2009-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing distance 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 operation
Screen technology PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
External flash
AE 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 (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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 231g (0.51 lbs) 135g (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 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 230 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $349 $120