Clicky

Canon G15 vs Nikon L21

Portability
86
Imaging
37
Features
58
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot G15 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon G15 vs Nikon L21 Key Specs

Canon G15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 352g - 107 x 76 x 40mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Older Model is Canon G12
  • Refreshed by Canon G16
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
  • Revealed February 2010
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon G15 vs Nikon L21 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Canon G15 vs Nikon L21, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the G15 (12MP) and L21 (8MP) and the G15 (1/1.7") and L21 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The G15 was announced 2 years later than the L21 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the G15 matches up against the L21 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon G15 over the Nikon L21

 G15 L21 
RevealedSeptember 2012February 2010Fresher by 32 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon G15

 L21 G15 

Common features in the Canon G15 and Nikon L21

 G15 L21 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon G15 vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon G15 provides outside measurements of 107mm x 76mm x 40mm (4.2" x 3.0" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 352 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Nikon L21 has measurements 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 G15 vs Nikon L21 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the G15 and the L21.

Canon G15 vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G15 and L21 is 86 and 93 respectively.

Canon G15 vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

Canon G15 vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing simply by checking out specs. The visual here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the G15 and L21.

All in all, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The G15 using its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Canon G15 will provide greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more recent G15 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon G15 vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison

Canon G15 vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G15 vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G15 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L21 as a Portrait photography camera
48
manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
has face detection focus
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (8 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon G15 Street photography info
Nikon L21 Street photography info
59
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
more heavy than average (352 grams)
46
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Canon G15 Sports photography highlights
Nikon L21 Sports photography highlights
39
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (350 shots)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect auto focus
16
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon G15
Travel photography with Nikon L21
61
better than average battery power (350 CIPA)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (352g)
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
50
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
MP count low (8MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Canon G15 Landscape photography information
Nikon L21 Landscape photography information
55
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (350 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
does not have Timelapse recording
22
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Canon G15 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L21 as a Vlogging camera
33
decently wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than average (352 grams)
21
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Canon G15 vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G15 and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot G15Nikon Coolpix L21
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot G15 Nikon Coolpix L21
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-09-17 2010-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 5 Expeed C2
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 8 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 12800 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Largest aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT PureColor II G LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 352 gr (0.78 pounds) 169 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 107 x 76 x 40mm (4.2" x 3.0" x 1.6") 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 46 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 19.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 165 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-10L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $499 $180