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Nikon L120 vs Nikon L21

Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23

Nikon L120 vs Nikon L21 Key Specs

Nikon L120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
  • Launched February 2011
  • Older Model is Nikon L110
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
  • Announced February 2010
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Nikon L120 vs Nikon L21 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Nikon L120 vs Nikon L21, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both created by Nikon. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the L120 (14MP) and L21 (8MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The L120 was launched 13 months after the L21 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the L120 grades against the L21 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Nikon L21

 L120 L21 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011February 2010More modern by 13 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Nikon L120

 L21 L120 

Common features in the Nikon L120 and Nikon L21

 L120 L21 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon L120 vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon L120 enjoys exterior measurements of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") with a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs) and 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).

Examine the Nikon L120 vs Nikon L21 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the L120 and the L21.

Nikon L120 vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the L120 and L21 is 75 and 93 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L120 vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to picture the gap between sensor sizes merely by checking technical specs. The picture below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the L120 and L21.

As you can tell, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Nikon L120 to resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern L120 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon L120 vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison

Nikon L120 vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L120 vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L120 Portrait photography highlights
Nikon L21 Portrait photography highlights
33
decent MP (14 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
18
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (8MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L120
Street photography with Nikon L21
48
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
46
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L120
Sports photography with Nikon L21
43
great zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
15
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L120 Travel photography details
Nikon L21 Travel photography details
60
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (525mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
50
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L120 Landscape photography features
Nikon L21 Landscape photography features
40
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
21
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L21 as a Vlogging camera
27
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone support
21
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic socket
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Nikon L120 vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L120 and Nikon L21
 Nikon Coolpix L120Nikon Coolpix L21
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix L120 Nikon Coolpix L21
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-02-09 2010-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 8 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-525mm (21.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.5"
Display resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye 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 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file 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 None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 431 grams (0.95 lbs) 169 grams (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") 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 330 shots -
Battery type AA -
Battery ID 4 x AA 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $300 $180