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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Nikon L21

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
33
Overall
33
Leica V-Lux 20 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Nikon L21 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 20
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released April 2010
Nikon L21
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
  • Announced February 2010
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Nikon L21 Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Leica V-Lux 20 and Nikon L21, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Leica and Nikon. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the V-Lux 20 (12MP) and L21 (8MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 20 was released 3 months later than the L21 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a simple summary of how the V-Lux 20 matches up against the L21 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 20 over the Nikon L21

 V-Lux 20 L21 
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Leica V-Lux 20

 L21 V-Lux 20 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 20 and Nikon L21

 V-Lux 20 L21 
AnnouncedApril 2010February 2010Same age
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Leica V-Lux 20 features outer measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst 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).

Examine the Leica V-Lux 20 and Nikon L21 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the V-Lux 20 and the L21.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the V-Lux 20 and L21 is 91 and 93 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing purely by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 20 and L21.

Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Leica V-Lux 20 to provide more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L21 as a Portrait photography camera
20
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
18
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
low megapixels (8MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Street photography highlights
Nikon L21 Street photography highlights
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (218 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
46
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Sports photography details
Nikon L21 Sports photography details
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
15
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon L21 as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than competition (218g)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
50
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
low megapixels (8MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Landscape photography details
Nikon L21 Landscape photography details
37
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
21
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5")
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Vlogging info
Nikon L21 Vlogging info
30
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (218 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of mic socket
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 20 and Nikon L21
 Leica V-Lux 20Nikon Coolpix L21
General Information
Company Leica Nikon
Model type Leica V-Lux 20 Nikon Coolpix L21
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-04-20 2010-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 8 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 80 64
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.5"
Resolution of display 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218g (0.48 lbs) 169g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $779 $180