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Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L21

Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX600 HS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L21 Key Specs

Canon SX600 HS
(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
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Replacement is Canon SX610 HS
Nikon L21
(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
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Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L21 Overview

The following is a comprehensive review of the Canon SX600 HS versus Nikon L21, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the SX600 HS (16MP) and L21 (8MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX600 HS was revealed 3 years after the L21 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SX600 HS grades against the L21 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX600 HS over the Nikon L21

 SX600 HS L21 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014February 2010Newer by 48 months
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon SX600 HS

 L21 SX600 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX600 HS and Nikon L21

 SX600 HS L21 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera, you should consider its weight and size. The Canon SX600 HS comes with exterior dimensions of 104mm x 61mm x 26mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.0") having a weight of 188 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Nikon L21 has specifications of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX600 HS versus Nikon L21 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the SX600 HS compared to the L21.

Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX600 HS and L21 is 93 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading specifications. The image underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX600 HS and L21.

To sum up, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Canon SX600 HS to offer extra detail because of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The more modern SX600 HS provides an edge in sensor tech.

Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison

Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX600 HS Portrait photography advice
Nikon L21 Portrait photography advice
44
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers face detection focus
manual exposure not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
18
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX600 HS
Street photography with Nikon L21
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (188g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
46
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX600 HS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon L21 as a Sports photography camera
41
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
15
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX600 HS Travel photography info
Nikon L21 Travel photography info
70
lighter than competitors in class (188 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (450mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
50
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX600 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon L21 as a Landscape photography camera
48
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
manual exposure not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
21
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX600 HS Vlogging information
Nikon L21 Vlogging information
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1280 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (188g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone socket
21
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
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Canon SX600 HS vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX600 HS and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot SX600 HSNikon Coolpix L21
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX600 HS Nikon Coolpix L21
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-01-06 2010-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4+ 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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 8 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Maximal aperture f/3.8-6.9 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology PureColor II G (TFT) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 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, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1280 640x480
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 188 grams (0.41 lbs) 169 grams (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 104 x 61 x 26mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.0") 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 290 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $249 $180