Canon A2100 IS vs Nikon L21
92 Imaging
34 Features
20 Overall
28


93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23
Canon A2100 IS vs Nikon L21 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-216mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
- 185g - 102 x 64 x 32mm
- Revealed February 2009
(Full Review)
- 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
- Launched February 2010

Canon A2100 IS vs Nikon L21 Overview
Lets look much closer at the Canon A2100 IS versus Nikon L21, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the A2100 IS (12MP) and L21 (8MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The A2100 IS was introduced 11 months earlier than the L21 so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the A2100 IS scores against the L21 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon A2100 IS vs Nikon L21 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot A2100 IS and Nikon Coolpix L21. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon A2100 IS Gallery and Nikon L21 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A2100 IS over the Nikon L21
A2100 IS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon A2100 IS
L21 | A2100 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 11 months |
Common features in the Canon A2100 IS and Nikon L21
A2100 IS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Canon A2100 IS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon A2100 IS provides outer measurements of 102mm x 64mm x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Nikon L21 has specifications of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check the Canon A2100 IS versus Nikon L21 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the A2100 IS and the L21.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A2100 IS and L21 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Canon A2100 IS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through specs. The picture underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A2100 IS and L21.
All in all, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should anticipate the Canon A2100 IS to provide you with greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged A2100 IS will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon A2100 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A2100 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A2100 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot A2100 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2009-02-18 | 2010-02-03 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 8 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 64 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
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 | 36-216mm (6.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.2-5.9 | f/3.1-6.7 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 2.5 inch |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | - |
Flash settings | 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 metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 185 gr (0.41 lbs) | 169 gr (0.37 lbs) |
Dimensions | 102 x 64 x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 type | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $220 | $180 |