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Nikon 1 J2 vs Nikon L20

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
60
Overall
48
Nikon 1 J2 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Nikon 1 J2 vs Nikon L20 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J2
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 238g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Launched August 2012
  • Replaced the Nikon 1 J1
  • Replacement is Nikon 1 J3
Nikon L20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Nikon 1 J2 vs Nikon L20 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon 1 J2 versus Nikon L20, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Nikon. The resolution of the 1 J2 (10MP) and the L20 (10MP) is fairly close but the 1 J2 (1") and L20 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The 1 J2 was launched 3 years after the L20 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Nikon 1 J2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon L20 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick view of how the 1 J2 grades versus the L20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J2 over the Nikon L20

 1 J2 L20 
RevealedAugust 2012February 2009More modern by 43 months
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Nikon 1 J2

 L20 1 J2 

Common features in the Nikon 1 J2 and Nikon L20

 1 J2 L20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Nikon 1 J2 vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon 1 J2 provides external dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Nikon L20 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon 1 J2 versus Nikon L20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view size comparison of the 1 J2 and the L20.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J2 and L20 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J2 vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by looking through specs. The pic here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 J2 and L20.

All in all, the two cameras posses the exact same megapixels but not the same sensor sizes. The 1 J2 contains the larger sensor which will make getting shallow depth of field less difficult. The more modern 1 J2 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Nikon L20 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J2 vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J2 vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Portrait photography camera
48
focusing manually
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
19
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Street photography information
Nikon L20 Street photography information
69
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (238g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
54
lighter than others (135g)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Sports photography information
Nikon L20 Sports photography information
49
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
nice sensor size (1")
provides tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
16
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Travel photography highlights
Nikon L20 Travel photography highlights
60
lighter than competition (238 grams)
flash built-in
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
55
lighter than others (135g)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 J2
Landscape photography with Nikon L20
56
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
27
screen size is good (3 inch)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L20 as a Vlogging camera
30
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (238 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing mic port
24
lighter than others (135g)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
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Nikon 1 J2 vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J2 and Nikon L20
 Nikon 1 J2Nikon Coolpix L20
General Information
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon 1 J2 Nikon Coolpix L20
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-08-09 2009-02-03
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 3 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3872 x 2592 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 135 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 38-136mm (3.6x)
Max aperture - f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 13 -
Focal length multiplier 2.7 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/60s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 238 grams (0.52 pounds) 135 grams (0.30 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 363 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL20 2 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $550 $120