• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/3 inch 17.3mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 29.00mm - 87.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon D20 advantages over Nikon S31

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.32 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 87 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 41 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    461k 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
    12.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.9 fps vs 1.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S31 advantages over Canon D20

  • Less expensive
    $120 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.3 vs f/3.9
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Waterproof
    Both provide
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Good still and video image quality; Attractive, comfortable design; 3-inch LCD monitor that's easy to view in even bright sunlight.

  • Feature set lags behind current (2013) models; Performance average at best; Poor wide-angle optical quality; High chromatic aberration and corner softness.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm XP150

Canon D20
Fujifilm XP150
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $272
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
Nikon S31
Fujifilm XP150
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $272
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon S30

Canon D20
Nikon S30
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
Nikon S31
Nikon S30
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Faster shutter
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Olympus TG-830

Canon D20
Olympus TG-830
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
Nikon S31
Olympus TG-830
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon D30

Canon D20
Canon D30
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
Nikon S31
Canon D30
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon S33

Canon D20
Nikon S33
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $107
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Nikon S31
Nikon S33
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • $107
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 1080p video
Compare Other Cameras?