• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 525.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX20 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.1 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 SX20 IS

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~1.50 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Lighter weight
    454g vs 676g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.23 vs 0.54 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX20 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon L120

Review Excerpt

  • 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 Canon SX10 IS

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SX10 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX10 IS

Nikon L120
Canon SX10 IS
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon L120 vs Canon SX10 IS

Compared to Canon SX1 IS

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SX1 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX1 IS

Nikon L120
Canon SX1 IS
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon L120 vs Canon SX1 IS

Compared to Fujifilm S1800

Canon SX20 IS
Fujifilm S1800
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $207
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon SX20 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 Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Canon SX20 IS
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Nikon L120
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon L120 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Compared to Fujifilm S2800HD

Canon SX20 IS
Fujifilm S2800HD
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Canon SX20 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

Compare Other Cameras?