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Nikon L820 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
72
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Previous Model is Nikon L810
  • Newer Model is Nikon L830
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX10V
  • Refreshed by Sony HX30V
Photography Glossary

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX20V Overview

The following is a extended overview of the Nikon L820 and Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the L820 (16MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is very similar and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The L820 was released 7 months after the HX20V and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon L820 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the L820 matches up versus the HX20V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Sony HX20V

 L820 HX20V 
ReleasedJanuary 2013July 2012Newer by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Nikon L820

 HX20V L820 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display resolution922k921kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L820 and Sony HX20V

 L820 HX20V 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon L820 provides outside measurements of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") along with a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs) whilst the Sony HX20V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon L820 and Sony HX20V in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the L820 compared to the HX20V.

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L820 and HX20V is 72 and 90 respectively.

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading specs. The pic below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the L820 and HX20V.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony HX20V to offer you more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The more modern L820 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L820 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L820 Portrait photography highlights
Sony HX20V Portrait photography highlights
30
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
44
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (18MP)
includes face detect focusing
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L820 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Street photography camera
38
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competitors in class (470g)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L820
Sports photography with Sony HX20V
36
amazing zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
megapixel count good (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
includes tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L820 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX20V Travel photography highlights
56
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (23mm)
great zoom (675mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (470 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competition in class (254g)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L820 Landscape photography info
Sony HX20V Landscape photography info
36
relatively wide (23mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
50
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L820 Vlogging details
Sony HX20V Vlogging details
24
relatively wide (23mm)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing external microphone support
more heavy than competitors in class (470 grams)
34
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
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Nikon L820 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L820 and Sony HX20V
 Nikon Coolpix L820Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix L820 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-01-29 2012-07-20
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-675mm (29.3x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 7.10 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 470g (1.04 lbs) 254g (0.56 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 320 photos 320 photos
Battery format AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-BG1
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $192 $397