Canon SX150 IS vs Nikon L21
86 Imaging
37 Features
40 Overall
38


93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23
Canon SX150 IS vs Nikon L21 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-336mm (F3.4-5.6) lens
- 306g - 113 x 73 x 46mm
- Announced May 2012
- Previous Model is Canon SX130 IS
- Newer Model is Canon SX160 IS
(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
- Released February 2010

Canon SX150 IS vs Nikon L21 Overview
Here, we will be looking at the Canon SX150 IS and Nikon L21, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the SX150 IS (14MP) and L21 (8MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX150 IS was announced 2 years later than the L21 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the SX150 IS scores against the L21 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX150 IS vs Nikon L21 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX150 IS & Nikon Coolpix L21. The whole galleries are available at Canon SX150 IS Gallery & Nikon L21 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX150 IS over the Nikon L21
SX150 IS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | May 2012 | ![]() | February 2010 | Fresher by 28 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon SX150 IS
L21 | SX150 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX150 IS and Nikon L21
SX150 IS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX150 IS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX150 IS enjoys outer measurements of 113mm x 73mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") with a weight of 306 grams (0.67 lbs) while the Nikon L21 has proportions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon SX150 IS and Nikon L21 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the SX150 IS compared to the L21.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX150 IS and L21 is 86 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX150 IS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading a spec sheet. The graphic below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX150 IS and L21.
Clearly, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can count on the Canon SX150 IS to deliver more detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The fresher SX150 IS should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Canon SX150 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX150 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX150 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX150 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2012-05-14 | 2010-02-03 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | 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 | 14 megapixels | 8 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 64 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-336mm (12.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.4-5.6 | f/3.1-6.7 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 2.5" |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2500 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | - |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 306 gr (0.67 lbs) | 169 gr (0.37 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 113 x 73 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") | 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 | 130 images | - |
Type of battery | AA | - |
Battery model | 2 x AA | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch price | $249 | $180 |