Canon A800 vs Nikon L21
93 Imaging
33 Features
19 Overall
27


93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23
Canon A800 vs Nikon L21 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 37-122mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
- 186g - 94 x 61 x 31mm
- Launched 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
- Revealed February 2010

Canon A800 vs Nikon L21 Overview
In this write-up, we will be comparing the Canon A800 vs Nikon L21, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the A800 (10MP) and L21 (8MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The A800 was brought out 12 months later than the L21 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the A800 matches up versus the L21 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon A800 vs Nikon L21 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A800 & Nikon Coolpix L21. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon A800 Gallery & Nikon L21 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A800 over the Nikon L21
A800 | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2010 | Fresher by 12 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon A800
L21 | A800 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 115k | Clearer screen (+115k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A800 and Nikon L21
A800 | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 2.5" | ![]() | 2.5" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Canon A800 vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon A800 provides outside measurements of 94mm x 61mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 186 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Nikon L21 has specifications of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).
Look at the Canon A800 vs Nikon L21 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the A800 and the L21.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A800 and L21 is 93 and 93 respectively.

Canon A800 vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing simply by going over a spec sheet. The graphic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the A800 and L21.
Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Canon A800 to offer greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more recent A800 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon A800 vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A800 vs Nikon L21 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A800 | Nikon Coolpix L21 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot A800 | Nikon Coolpix L21 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2011-01-05 | 2010-02-03 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | DIGIC 3 | 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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 8MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 64 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 37-122mm (3.3x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.0-5.8 | f/3.1-6.7 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.5" | 2.5" |
Resolution of screen | 115 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure 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) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | 186g (0.41 pounds) | 169g (0.37 pounds) |
Dimensions | 94 x 61 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 All around 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 | 300 images | - |
Battery style | AA | - |
Battery model | 2 x AA | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10sec, custom) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $90 | $180 |