• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 765.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Nikon L830

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon L830 advantages over Canon SX20 IS

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    765 mm vs 560 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Lighter weight
    508g vs 676g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    921k 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
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    23 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.7 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX20 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon L830
Nikon L830

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

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX10 IS

Nikon L830
Canon SX10 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon L830 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 L830
Canon SX1 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon L830 vs Canon SX1 IS

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 L830
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • RAW file ability

Compare Nikon L830 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Compared to Samsung WB2100

Canon SX20 IS
Samsung WB2100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Samsung WB2100

Nikon L830
Samsung WB2100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon L830 vs Samsung WB2100

Compared to Nikon L840

Canon SX20 IS
Nikon L840
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L840

Nikon L830
Nikon L840
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon L830 vs Nikon L840

Compare Other Cameras?