Canon A3300 IS vs Nikon L21
95 Imaging
38 Features
30 Overall
34


93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23
Canon A3300 IS vs Nikon L21 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 149g - 95 x 57 x 24mm
- Announced January 2011
(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

Canon A3300 IS vs Nikon L21 Overview
Below, we will be looking at the Canon A3300 IS versus Nikon L21, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the A3300 IS (16MP) and L21 (8MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The A3300 IS was launched 12 months after the L21 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a short summation of how the A3300 IS grades vs the L21 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon A3300 IS vs Nikon L21 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A3300 IS & Nikon Coolpix L21. The complete galleries are available at Canon A3300 IS Gallery & Nikon L21 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3300 IS over the Nikon L21
A3300 IS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2010 | More modern by 12 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon A3300 IS
L21 | A3300 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon A3300 IS and Nikon L21
A3300 IS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Canon A3300 IS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry around your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Canon A3300 IS offers physical measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Nikon L21 has specifications of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).
See the Canon A3300 IS versus Nikon L21 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the A3300 IS versus the L21.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the A3300 IS and L21 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Canon A3300 IS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes simply by checking out specifications. The picture here might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the A3300 IS and L21.
To sum up, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Canon A3300 IS to show greater detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The fresher A3300 IS will have an edge in sensor technology.

Canon A3300 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3300 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3300 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot A3300 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2011-01-05 | 2010-02-03 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | 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 area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 8 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 64 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/3.1-6.7 |
Macro focus range | 3cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 2.5 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 4.00 m | - |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Smart | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 149g (0.33 lb) | 169g (0.37 lb) |
Dimensions | 95 x 57 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 pictures | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-8L | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $200 | $180 |