• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1000.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Nikon P530

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 600 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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 P530 advantages over Canon SX20 IS

  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,000 mm vs 560 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    10 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    494g vs 676g
    Lighter weight
  • 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
  • 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
    7.0 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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 P530
Canon SX10 IS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen

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 P530
Canon SX1 IS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen

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 P530
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • RAW file ability

Compared to Nikon L840

Canon SX20 IS
Nikon L840
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon P530
Nikon L840
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

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
Nikon P530
Nikon B500
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Manual focus
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
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