Canon SX270 HS vs Nikon L21
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38


93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23
Canon SX270 HS vs Nikon L21 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX270 HS vs Nikon L21 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX270 HS & Nikon Coolpix L21. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SX270 HS Gallery & Nikon L21 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX270 HS over the Nikon L21
SX270 HS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | March 2013 | ![]() | February 2010 | More modern by 39 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Nikon L21 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX270 HS | Nikon 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 |