• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 185.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 525.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SD890 IS advantages over Nikon L120

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.69 vs 1.43 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    184g vs 454g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.2 fps vs 0.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 19 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon L120 advantages over Canon SD890 IS

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~1.50 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    525 mm vs 185 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 520 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.23 vs 0.73 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 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

  • 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

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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

  • 21x wide optical zoom; Fast shutter response; Sensor-shift Vibration Reduction; HD video with stereo audio; Smile timer; Very good battery life.

  • Poor autofocus at telephoto; Strong chromatic aberration; Soft video; Sport Continuous mode drops resolution to 3 megapixels; Detail is lost rapidly as ISO rises.

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-W170

Canon SD890 IS
Sony DSC-W170
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
Nikon L120
Sony DSC-W170
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS1

Canon SD890 IS
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Less shutter lag
Nikon L120
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Canon SD970 IS

Canon SD890 IS
Canon SD970 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
Nikon L120
Canon SD970 IS
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Fujifilm S1800

Canon SD890 IS
Fujifilm S1800
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Thinner
  • $207
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon L120
Fujifilm S1800
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out
  • $207
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Fujifilm S2800HD

Canon SD890 IS
Fujifilm S2800HD
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon L120
Fujifilm S2800HD
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Wider angle lens
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
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