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Canon SX150 IS vs Nikon L21

Portability
86
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX150 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon SX150 IS vs Nikon L21 Key Specs

Canon SX150 IS
(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
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
  • Released February 2010
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX150 IS over the Nikon L21

 SX150 IS L21 
ReleasedMay 2012February 2010Fresher by 28 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen size3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX150 IS vs Nikon L21 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX150 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX150 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX150 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L21 as a Portrait photography camera
42
focusing manually
good resolution (14MP)
has face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
18
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (8MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX150 IS Street photography information
Nikon L21 Street photography information
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (306 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
46
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX150 IS Sports photography highlights
Nikon L21 Sports photography highlights
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (130 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
15
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX150 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon L21 as a Travel photography camera
64
lighter than competitors (306g)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
great reach (336mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery life (130 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
50
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (8MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX150 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon L21
46
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery life (130 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
21
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (8MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX150 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L21 as a Vlogging camera
30
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors (306 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone support
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Canon SX150 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX150 IS and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot SX150 ISNikon 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