• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • 18.00mm - 50.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Nikon DL18-50

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $850 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • More telephoto lens reach
    560 mm vs 50 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 600 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Nikon DL18-50 advantages over Canon SX20 IS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.36 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    57 mm vs 86 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/500 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    365g vs 676g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1037k 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
    20.8 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
    18 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    120 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/3200 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

Buy From

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
Nikon DL18-50
Canon SX10 IS
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Nikon DL18-50
Canon SX1 IS
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Nikon DL18-50
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Leica V-LUX 2

Canon SX20 IS
Leica V-LUX 2
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster shutter
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
Nikon DL18-50
Leica V-LUX 2
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Panasonic FZ150

Canon SX20 IS
Panasonic FZ150
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
Nikon DL18-50
Panasonic FZ150
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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