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Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon L120

Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon L120 Key Specs

Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Launched January 2016
Nikon L120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Succeeded the Nikon L110
Photography Glossary

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon L120 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon L120, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the SX420 IS (20MP) and L120 (14MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX420 IS was unveiled 4 years after the L120 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon L120 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SX420 IS matches up against the L120 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Nikon L120

 SX420 IS L120 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016February 2011More modern by 60 months
Manually focus More exact focus

Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Canon SX420 IS

 L120 SX420 IS 
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Nikon L120

 SX420 IS L120 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon L120 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX420 IS has outside measurements of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") having a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Nikon L120 has proportions of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") having a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs).

Check the Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon L120 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the SX420 IS vs the L120.

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon L120 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX420 IS and L120 is 80 and 75 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon L120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon L120 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes only by researching technical specs. The image here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX420 IS and L120.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Canon SX420 IS to result in extra detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The fresher SX420 IS will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon L120 sensor size comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon L120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon L120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Portrait photography camera
44
has manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
33
good resolution (14 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Street photography camera
52
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
48
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Sports photography camera
41
amazing zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
slow continuous shooting (0.5 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (195 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
43
great zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon L120 Travel photography advice
61
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (1008mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (195 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
60
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (525mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Landscape photography factors
Nikon L120 Landscape photography factors
47
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery life (195 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
40
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX420 IS
Vlogging with Nikon L120
29
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket
27
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
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Canon SX420 IS vs Nikon L120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX420 IS and Nikon L120
 Canon PowerShot SX420 ISNikon Coolpix L120
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Nikon Coolpix L120
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-01-05 2011-02-09
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4+ Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5152 x 3864 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.6 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing distance 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 0.5fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325g (0.72 lb) 431g (0.95 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 195 images 330 images
Type of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID NB-11LH 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $299 $300