Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P900

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Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P900

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

Go in depth with our full Canon SX20 IS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX20 IS.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
16.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 2000.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Nikon P900 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon P900 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the P900.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon P900 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon SX30 IS
Compare SX20 IS vs SX30 IS

Succeeded by the Nikon P950
Compare P900 vs P950

Compare CANON SX30 IS vs NIKON P950

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Differences

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Nikon P900

Bigger pixels
~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

600 vs 360 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
86 mm vs 137 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
676g vs 916g
Lighter weight
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon P900 advantages over Canon SX20 IS

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 2.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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
2,000 mm vs 560 mm
Capture objects farther away
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/500 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
10 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
922k 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
0.10 vs 0.54 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
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
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 1.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
12800 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
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

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
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

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Nikon P900

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Review Excerpt

Read our Canon SX20 IS Review

Farthest zoom reach for a fixed lens camera (2000mm eq.); Good image quality for its class; Good vibration reduction; Fast aperture at wide angle (f/2.8); Excellent value for the price.
No RAW file recording; Limited capabilities in low light, including struggling with autofocus; Lens not as sharp at full tele end; No hot shoe.
Read our Nikon P900 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 P900

Canon SX10 IS

$597
1/2.3 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$400
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P900 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 P900

Canon SX1 IS

$597
1/2.3 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$600
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
RAW file ability

Compare Nikon P900 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 P900

Panasonic DMC-FZ100

$597
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$500
1/2.33 inch

RAW file ability
Thinner

Compare Nikon P900 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Compared to Panasonic FZ70

Canon SX20 IS

Panasonic FZ70

$400
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Tiltable Screen

$660
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
RAW file ability

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic FZ70

Nikon P900

Panasonic FZ70

$597
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$660
1/2.3 inch

RAW file ability
Lighter weight

Compare Nikon P900 vs Panasonic FZ70

Compared to Nikon P950

Canon SX20 IS

Nikon P950

$400
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$797
1/2.3 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P950

Nikon P900

Nikon P950

$597
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
NFC

$797
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
RAW file ability

Compare Nikon P900 vs Nikon P950

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