• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.3 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 678.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Nikon P100

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 600 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 10.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon P100 advantages over Canon SX20 IS

  • More telephoto lens reach
    678 mm vs 560 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Lighter weight
    486g vs 676g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.17 vs 0.54 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/3200 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

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

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
Nikon P100
Canon SX10 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Nikon P90

Canon SX20 IS
Nikon P90
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Nikon P100
Nikon P90
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

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
Nikon P100
Canon SX1 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Pentax X90

Canon SX20 IS
Pentax X90
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Lighter weight
Nikon P100
Pentax X90
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

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
Nikon P100
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Fast startup
Compare Other Cameras?