• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Nikon P7100

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    560 mm vs 200 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 600 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Nikon P7100 advantages over Canon SX20 IS

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.08 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    48 mm vs 86 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    395g vs 676g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.28 vs 0.54 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Faster overall; Very good image quality; Generous 7.1x zoom range; Good controls; Tilting VGA LCD; RAW support.

  • Video limited to 720p24; Other cameras are still faster in some areas; LCD tilts only up or down, not side-to-side; Sub-command dial turns too easily.

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 P7100
Canon SX10 IS
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

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 P7100
Canon SX1 IS
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon G11

Canon SX20 IS
Canon G11
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon P7100
Canon G11
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch

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 P7100
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels

Compared to Nikon P7000

Canon SX20 IS
Nikon P7000
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon P7100
Nikon P7000
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Compare Other Cameras?