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Leica V-Lux 30 vs Nikon L21

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Leica V-Lux 30 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23

Leica V-Lux 30 vs Nikon L21 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 30
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 219g - 105 x 58 x 43mm
  • Introduced May 2011
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
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Leica V-Lux 30 vs Nikon L21 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Leica V-Lux 30 and Nikon L21, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Leica and Nikon. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the V-Lux 30 (14MP) and L21 (8MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 30 was unveiled 16 months after the L21 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the V-Lux 30 grades versus the L21 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 30 over the Nikon L21

 V-Lux 30 L21 
RevealedMay 2011February 2010More modern by 16 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Leica V-Lux 30

 L21 V-Lux 30 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 30 and Nikon L21

 V-Lux 30 L21 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Leica V-Lux 30 vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Leica V-Lux 30 has outer measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 43mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.7") and a weight of 219 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Nikon L21 has sizing of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Leica V-Lux 30 and Nikon L21 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the V-Lux 30 against the L21.

Leica V-Lux 30 vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 30 and L21 is 90 and 93 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 30 vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 30 vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes purely by going over technical specs. The image here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 30 and L21.

As you have seen, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Leica V-Lux 30 to offer extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more recent V-Lux 30 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Leica V-Lux 30 vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 30 vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 30 vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 30 Portrait photography highlights
Nikon L21 Portrait photography highlights
30
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
MP count low (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 30 Street photography info
Nikon L21 Street photography info
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
features focus via touch
lighter than others (219 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
46
fixed screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica V-Lux 30
Sports photography with Nikon L21
47
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
includes tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (260 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
16
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 30 Travel photography factors
Nikon L21 Travel photography factors
67
lighter than others (219g)
features focus via touch
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery (260 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
50
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
MP count low (8 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 30 Landscape photography advice
Nikon L21 Landscape photography advice
41
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery (260 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
22
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 30 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L21 as a Vlogging camera
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (219g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone support
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Leica V-Lux 30 vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 30 and Nikon L21
 Leica V-Lux 30Nikon Coolpix L21
General Information
Company Leica Nikon
Model type Leica V-Lux 30 Nikon Coolpix L21
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-05-26 2010-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD Expeed C2
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 8 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 219 gr (0.48 lb) 169 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 43mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.7") 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 life 260 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $900 $180