Nikon L20 vs Sony HX90V
94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26


91 Imaging
43 Features
63 Overall
51
Nikon L20 vs Sony HX90V Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
- Revealed February 2009
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
- 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Announced April 2015

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX90V Overview
Following is a detailed overview of the Nikon L20 vs Sony HX90V, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and HX90V (18MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The L20 was brought out 7 years earlier than the HX90V which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the L20 grades against the HX90V for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX90V Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix L20 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon L20 Gallery & Sony HX90V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Sony HX90V
L20 | HX90V |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Nikon L20
HX90V | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2015 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 75 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Nikon L20 and Sony HX90V
L20 | HX90V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen size |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Nikon L20 vs Sony HX90V Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon L20 enjoys external dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Sony HX90V has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon L20 vs Sony HX90V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the L20 compared to the HX90V.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L20 and HX90V is 94 and 91 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX90V Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes merely by looking at a spec sheet. The picture below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the L20 and HX90V.
As you can see, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can expect the Sony HX90V to give greater detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged L20 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX90V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX90V Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix L20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2009-02-03 | 2015-04-14 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 18 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4896 x 3672 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.5-6.4 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 638 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.5x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off | Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD, XAVC S |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 135 gr (0.30 lbs) | 245 gr (0.54 lbs) |
Dimensions | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") |
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 | - | 360 pictures |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $120 | $440 |