Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L120
Portability
80 Imaging
38 Features
40 Overall
38
80 Imaging
38 Features
40 Overall
38
Portability
75 Imaging
36 Features
38 Overall
36
75 Imaging
36 Features
38 Overall
36
Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L120 Key Specs
Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
- 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
- Introduced August 2012
- Successor is Canon SX510 HS
Nikon L120
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
- 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
- Launched February 2011
- Replaced the Nikon L110
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On this page, we are analyzing the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon L120, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the L120 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe SX500 IS was manufactured 19 months after the L120 making them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SX500 IS scores versus the L120 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Photography Glossary Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L120 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS & Nikon Coolpix L120. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX500 IS Gallery & Nikon L120 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Nikon L120
| SX500 IS | L120 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | August 2012 |  | February 2011 | More modern by 19 months |
| Focus manually |  | More precise focusing |
Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Canon SX500 IS
| L120 | SX500 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 921k |  | 461k | Sharper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Nikon L120
| SX500 IS | L120 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed display |
| Display dimensions | 3" |  | 3" | Equal display dimensions |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly display |  | Neither comes with Touch friendly display |
Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L120 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX500 IS comes with outer measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) while the Nikon L120 has measurements of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") and a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs).
Compare the Canon SX500 IS versus Nikon L120 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the SX500 IS against the L120.
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and L120 is 80 and 75 respectively.
Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L120 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very hard to picture the difference in sensor sizes merely by going through a spec sheet. The picture below will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX500 IS and L120.
Clearly, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Canon SX500 IS to show more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The more modern SX500 IS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.
Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L120 Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Canon SX500 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Portrait photography camera
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/1,600s)
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes face detection focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
good resolution (14 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Canon SX500 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Street photography camera
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Canon SX500 IS Sports photography highlights
Nikon L120 Sports photography highlights
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (195 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
incredible zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Canon SX500 IS Travel photography factors
Nikon L120 Travel photography factors
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (195 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (525mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape photography with Canon SX500 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon L120
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery life (195 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Canon SX500 IS Vlogging advice
Nikon L120 Vlogging advice
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
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Canon SX500 IS vs Nikon L120 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Nikon Coolpix L120 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Canon | Nikon |
| Model | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Nikon Coolpix L120 |
| Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Introduced | 2012-08-21 | 2011-02-09 |
| Physical type | Compact | 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 area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 1 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 25-525mm (21.0x) |
| Max aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/3.1-5.8 |
| Macro focus distance | 1cm | 1cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of display | 461k dots | 921k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Display technology | TFT Color LCD | TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 5.00 m | 6.00 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | 1/1600 seconds | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| 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 | 341 grams (0.75 lb) | 431 grams (0.95 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") |
| 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 | 195 shots | 330 shots |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | AA |
| Battery model | NB-6L | 4 x AA |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Price at release | $299 | $300 |