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Nikon L20 vs Nikon L21

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23

Nikon L20 vs Nikon L21 Key Specs

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
  • Introduced February 2009
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
  • Introduced February 2010
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Nikon L20 vs Nikon L21 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Nikon L20 versus Nikon L21, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both produced by Nikon. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and L21 (8MP) but they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The L20 was introduced 12 months prior to the L21 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the L20 grades versus the L21 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Nikon L21

 L20 L21 
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Nikon L20

 L21 L20 
IntroducedFebruary 2010February 2009Newer by 12 months

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Nikon L21

 L20 L21 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Nikon L20 vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon L20 has got exterior measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Nikon L21 has measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Nikon L20 versus Nikon L21 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the L20 against the L21.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L20 and L21 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L20 vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading specifications. The image here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the L20 and L21.

Plainly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon L20 to offer extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged L20 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L21 as a Portrait photography camera
19
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
19
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L20 Street photography advice
Nikon L21 Street photography advice
54
lighter than competition in class (135g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
46
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon L21 as a Sports photography camera
16
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
16
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
resolution not great (8MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 Travel photography features
Nikon L21 Travel photography features
55
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
50
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L20 Landscape photography factors
Nikon L21 Landscape photography factors
27
screen size is good (3 inches)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
22
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L20
Vlogging with Nikon L21
24
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
21
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
no microphone jack
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Nikon L20 vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Nikon L21
 Nikon Coolpix L20Nikon Coolpix L21
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix L20 Nikon Coolpix L21
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-02-03 2010-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD 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 10 megapixel 8 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 64 64
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.5 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135g (0.30 lbs) 169g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 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 ID 2 x AA 2 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $120 $180