Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L20
93 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26
Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L20 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1280 video
- 25-450mm (F3.8-6.9) lens
- 188g - 104 x 61 x 26mm
- Launched January 2014
- Later Model is Canon SX610 HS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
- Launched February 2009

Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L20 Overview
Let's take a more detailed look at the Canon SX600 HS and Nikon L20, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the SX600 HS (16MP) and L20 (10MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SX600 HS was launched 4 years later than the L20 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the SX600 HS matches up vs the L20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L20 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX600 HS & Nikon Coolpix L20. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX600 HS Gallery & Nikon L20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX600 HS over the Nikon L20
SX600 HS | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2014 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 60 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Canon SX600 HS
L20 | SX600 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX600 HS and Nikon L20
SX600 HS | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly display |
Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to lug around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX600 HS comes with outer dimensions of 104mm x 61mm x 26mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.0") and a weight of 188 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Nikon L20 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).
Examine the Canon SX600 HS and Nikon L20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX600 HS compared to the L20.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX600 HS and L20 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements only by going over a spec sheet. The visual underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX600 HS and L20.
Clearly, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Canon SX600 HS to offer you more detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more recent SX600 HS should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX600 HS | Nikon Coolpix L20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX600 HS | Nikon Coolpix L20 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2014-01-06 | 2009-02-03 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 4+ | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-450mm (18.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.8-6.9 | f/3.1-6.7 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 461 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | PureColor II G (TFT) | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames per sec | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m (50 cm � 3.5 m (W) / 1.0 m � 2.0 m (T)) | - |
Flash modes | Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1280 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1280 | 640x480 |
Video file format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 188g (0.41 lbs) | 135g (0.30 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 104 x 61 x 26mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.0") | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
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 | 290 photos | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6LH | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $249 | $120 |