• 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 - 855.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Nikon L840

  • 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 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon L840 advantages over Canon SX20 IS

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    855 mm vs 560 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 600 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    10 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
  • Wider angle lens
    23 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.4 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • 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
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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

User reviews

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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 L840
Canon SX10 IS
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon L840 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 L840
Canon SX1 IS
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon L840 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 L840
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • RAW file ability

Compare Nikon L840 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Compared to Nikon L830

Canon SX20 IS
Nikon L830
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon L830

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

Compare Nikon L840 vs Nikon L830

Compared to Nikon B500

Canon SX20 IS
Nikon B500
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon B500

Nikon L840
Nikon B500
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Nikon L840 vs Nikon B500

Compare Other Cameras?