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Canon SX270 HS vs Nikon L21

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX270 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon SX270 HS vs Nikon L21 Key Specs

Canon SX270 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Launched March 2013
  • Old Model is Canon SX260 HS
  • Later Model is Canon SX280 HS
Nikon L21
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
  • Announced February 2010
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Canon SX270 HS vs Nikon L21 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon SX270 HS versus Nikon L21, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Nikon. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the SX270 HS (12MP) and L21 (8MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX270 HS was released 3 years after the L21 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SX270 HS scores versus the L21 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX270 HS over the Nikon L21

 SX270 HS L21 
AnnouncedMarch 2013February 2010More modern by 39 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon SX270 HS

 L21 SX270 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX270 HS and Nikon L21

 SX270 HS L21 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Canon SX270 HS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX270 HS has got exterior measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Nikon L21 has proportions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX270 HS versus Nikon L21 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the SX270 HS vs the L21.

Canon SX270 HS vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX270 HS and L21 is 91 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX270 HS vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading a spec sheet. The pic here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SX270 HS and L21.

As you can see, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Canon SX270 HS to deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics more aggressively. The younger SX270 HS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX270 HS vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX270 HS vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Portrait photography info
Nikon L21 Portrait photography info
34
manual focus
supports face detection focusing
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
18
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
MP count low (8MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Street photography highlights
Nikon L21 Street photography highlights
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (233g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
46
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Sports photography advice
Nikon L21 Sports photography advice
36
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (210 per charge)
no phase detect AF
15
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Travel photography features
Nikon L21 Travel photography features
61
lighter than competitors (233 grams)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
missing Timelapse function
bad battery life (210 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
50
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
MP count low (8 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Landscape photography advice
Nikon L21 Landscape photography advice
41
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery life (210 shots)
missing Timelapse function
21
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5")
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
MP count low (8MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Vlogging highlights
Nikon L21 Vlogging highlights
34
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (233g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly display
missing external microphone socket
21
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
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Canon SX270 HS vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX270 HS and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot SX270 HSNikon Coolpix L21
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX270 HS Nikon Coolpix L21
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-03-21 2010-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 6 Expeed C2
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 12MP 8MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type 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 distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 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 MPEG-4, 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 None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 233 gr (0.51 lb) 169 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" 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 210 shots -
Style of battery 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, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $284 $180