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Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L21

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Canon PowerShot A1100 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L21 Key Specs

Canon A1100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 62 x 31mm
  • Launched February 2009
Nikon L21
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
  • Announced February 2010
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Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L21 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Canon A1100 IS and Nikon L21, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the A1100 IS (12MP) and L21 (8MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A1100 IS was manufactured 11 months earlier than the L21 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the A1100 IS grades versus the L21 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A1100 IS over the Nikon L21

 A1100 IS L21 

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon A1100 IS

 L21 A1100 IS 
AnnouncedFebruary 2010February 2009More modern by 11 months
Screen resolution230k115kClearer screen (+115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A1100 IS and Nikon L21

 A1100 IS L21 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.5"2.5"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Canon A1100 IS features external dimensions of 95mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Nikon L21 has specifications of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Canon A1100 IS and Nikon L21 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the A1100 IS versus the L21.

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A1100 IS and L21 is 93 and 93 respectively.

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes purely by viewing a spec sheet. The image underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A1100 IS and L21.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Canon A1100 IS to result in more detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged A1100 IS will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Portrait photography factors
Nikon L21 Portrait photography factors
26
comes with face detect focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
19
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
low megapixels (8MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Street photography details
Nikon L21 Street photography details
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
46
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A1100 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon L21 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
16
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Travel photography features
Nikon L21 Travel photography features
50
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
50
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (8MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A1100 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon L21 as a Landscape photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.5")
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse recording
22
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Vlogging features
Nikon L21 Vlogging features
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone support
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external mic jack
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Canon A1100 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1100 IS and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot A1100 ISNikon Coolpix L21
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot A1100 IS Nikon Coolpix L21
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-18 2010-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 8MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Largest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5" 2.5"
Resolution of display 115k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150 grams (0.33 lb) 169 grams (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 95 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID 2 x AA 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $160 $180