Canon Powershot A480 vs Nikon Coolpix L20 Comparison
Nikon Coolpix L20
Canon Powershot A480
The Canon Powershot A480 and Nikon Coolpix L20 are two of the best digital cameras available for under £100. Picture quality from both cameras is well above average for cameras in this category and price range. As you would expect both cameras are also relatively easy to use.
Basic Specification
Nikon Coolpix L20
10 megapixels
3.6x optical zoom
3 inch LCD screen
Macro focusing 5cm
Canon Powershot A480
10 megapixels
3.3x optical zoom
2.5 inch LCD screen
Macro focusing 1cm
Features
As most digital cameras in the price range offer LCD screens 2.7 inches in size or smaller you can see the Coolpix L20 offers a bit more for your money in this area. The 5cm macro mode for close up shots should get you in close enough for the majority of subjects, but if you are looking for a little extra close up power than the Powershot A480 is able to get in closer to the subject being photographed.
When it comes to other features you will also find the Powershot A480 offers a few extras. For example you have access to a range of colour options as well as being able to select from different metering modes.
Design
In terms of design and build quality there is not a great deal to choose between the two cameras. They are both a little large to slip easily into a pocket. Nikon has included a small raised, grip area on the front of the Coolpix L20. This can make it that bit easier to get a good grip of when taking a photo.
Start Up and Shutter Lag
The Coolpix L20 is marginally quicker if you are looking to take a single shot, whereas the Powershot A480 is slightly faster if you reel off 4 or 5 shots in sequence. The Canon model is a second faster to turn on and capture the first photo.
Power Supply
AA batteries are used to run both cameras.
Picture Quality
When it comes to picture quality these two cameras are once again quite closely matched. The Powershot A480 takes some of the sharpest photos around by a cheaper compact. It is also capable of taking a good snap when the flash unit is turned on as long as your subject is not too distant and is within the range of the flash light.
Ease of Use
Personally I think this is one area where there is a clear difference between the two cameras. The Coolpix L20 is one of the simplest digital cameras around. Although the Powershot A480 is not exactly complicated it is unable to match the ease of use offered by the Coolpix L20. The Coolpix L20 has very few menu options indeed. In the main this is down to the smaller number of features this camera has, but one way or another it does make the camera about as easy to use as any digital camera you are likely to find.
Verdict
I am confident that whichever of these digital cameras you end up choosing you will have a camera that offers good value for money. As is typical of cheaper cameras they are both at their best outdoors in good light, but both cameras are perfectly capable of producing good quality snapshots. In the end your decision may boil down to how important absolute ease of use is to you. If this is of paramount importance to you then the Nikon Coolpix L20 is likely to be your best option. If on the other hand you like the idea of a few more features and perhaps a shade more picture quality then the Canon Powershot A480 is likely to be your final choice.
Product Shots
Front View
Nikon Coolpix L20
Canon Powershot A480
Back View
Nikon Coolpix L20
Canon Powershot A480
Top View
Nikon Coolpix L20
Canon Powershot A480
