Clicky

Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon L820

Portability
64
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
Portability
72
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34

Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon L820 Key Specs

Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 601g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Announced September 2010
  • Previous Model is Canon SX20 IS
  • Later Model is Canon SX40 HS
Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon L810
  • Later Model is Nikon L830
Photography Glossary

Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon L820 Overview

Below is a complete analysis of the Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon L820, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX30 IS (14MP) and the L820 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The SX30 IS was revealed 3 years before the L820 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting into a thorough comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX30 IS scores vs the L820 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Nikon L820

 SX30 IS L820 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Canon SX30 IS

 L820 SX30 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2013September 2010More recent by 28 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX30 IS and Nikon L820

 SX30 IS L820 
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon L820 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX30 IS features outer measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") and a weight of 601 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Nikon L820 has specifications of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") having a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon L820 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the SX30 IS and the L820.

Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon L820 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX30 IS and L820 is 64 and 72 respectively.

Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon L820 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon L820 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to picture the difference in sensor measurements only by researching a spec sheet. The graphic below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX30 IS and L820.

As you can see, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Nikon L820 to result in extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The older SX30 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon L820 sensor size comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon L820 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon L820 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Portrait photography info
Nikon L820 Portrait photography info
41
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
30
decent megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX30 IS
Street photography with Nikon L820
49
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
more heavy than competitors in class (601g)
38
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than others in class (470 grams)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX30 IS
Sports photography with Nikon L820
43
amazing zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
36
excellent zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
decent megapixels (16MP)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Travel photography features
Nikon L820 Travel photography features
57
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (840mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (601 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
56
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (23mm)
great zoom (675mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (470g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX30 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon L820
40
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
36
pretty wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Vlogging factors
Nikon L820 Vlogging factors
49
decently wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
more heavy than competitors in class (601g)
24
pretty wide (23mm)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone support
more heavy than others in class (470 grams)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon L820 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX30 IS and Nikon L820
 Canon PowerShot SX30 ISNikon Coolpix L820
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Nikon Coolpix L820
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-09-14 2013-01-29
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-840mm (35.0x) 23-675mm (29.3x)
Maximal aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/3.0-5.8
Macro focus distance 0cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.80 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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 None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 601 grams (1.32 pounds) 470 grams (1.04 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3")
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 - 320 photographs
Type of battery - AA
Battery model NB-7L 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $400 $192