Canon SD890 IS vs Nikon L120

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Canon SD890 IS vs Nikon L120

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
10.0 megapixels
37.00mm - 185.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SD890 IS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SD890 IS.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
14.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 525.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Nikon L120 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the L120.

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Differences

Canon SD890 IS advantages over Nikon L120

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 1.69 vs 1.43 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Thinner
27 mm vs 78 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
184g vs 454g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
15 vs 4 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
1.2 fps vs 0.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 19 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon L120 advantages over Canon SD890 IS

Less expensive
$280 vs $400 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Fast startup
~1.50 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
More telephoto lens reach
525 mm vs 185 mm
Capture objects farther away
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

520 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
921k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Less shutter lag
0.23 vs 0.73 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
14.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Wider angle lens
25 mm vs 37 mm
Capture more of the scene
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Neither provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Manual focus
Neither provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Neither provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Neither provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Canon SD890 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon L120

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon SD890 IS Review

21x wide optical zoom; Fast shutter response; Sensor-shift Vibration Reduction; HD video with stereo audio; Smile timer; Very good battery life.
Poor autofocus at telephoto; Strong chromatic aberration; Soft video; Sport Continuous mode drops resolution to 3 megapixels; Detail is lost rapidly as ISO rises.
Read our Nikon L120 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-W170

Canon SD890 IS

Sony DSC-W170

$400
1/2.3 inch

Fast startup
More telephoto lens reach

$225
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Manual focus

Compare Canon SD890 IS vs Sony DSC-W170

Nikon L120

Sony DSC-W170

$226
1/2.3 inch

Fast startup
More telephoto lens reach

$225
1/2.3 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon L120 vs Sony DSC-W170

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS1

Canon SD890 IS

Panasonic DMC-TS1

$400
1/2.3 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
More telephoto lens reach

$400
1/2.33 inch

HDMI out
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon SD890 IS vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Nikon L120

Panasonic DMC-TS1

$226
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$400
1/2.33 inch

Thinner
Lighter weight

Compare Nikon L120 vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Compared to Canon SD970 IS

Canon SD890 IS

Canon SD970 IS

$400
1/2.3 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Faster JPEG shooting

$170
1/2.3 inch

HDMI out
More dots on screen

Compare Canon SD890 IS vs Canon SD970 IS

Nikon L120

Canon SD970 IS

$226
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$170
1/2.3 inch

Thinner
Lighter weight

Compare Nikon L120 vs Canon SD970 IS

Compared to Fujifilm S1800

Canon SD890 IS

Fujifilm S1800

$400
1/2.3 inch

Fast startup
Thinner

$207
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SD890 IS vs Fujifilm S1800

Nikon L120

Fujifilm S1800

$226
1/2.3 inch

Fast startup
HDMI out

$207
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon L120 vs Fujifilm S1800

Compared to Fujifilm S2800HD

Canon SD890 IS

Fujifilm S2800HD

$400
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Thinner

$229
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SD890 IS vs Fujifilm S2800HD

Nikon L120

Fujifilm S2800HD

$226
1/2.3 inch

More dots on screen
Wider angle lens

$229
1/2.3 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Longer exposure

Compare Nikon L120 vs Fujifilm S2800HD

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