Nikon L20 vs Nikon S32
94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26


90 Imaging
36 Features
23 Overall
30
Nikon L20 vs Nikon S32 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
- Revealed February 2009
(Full Review)
- 13MP - 1/3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 1600
- Digital Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 175g - 108 x 66 x 40mm
- Introduced February 2014

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S32 Overview
The following is a thorough review of the Nikon L20 and Nikon S32, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof and they are both produced by Nikon. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and S32 (13MP) and the L20 (1/2.3") and S32 (1/3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

The L20 was launched 6 years prior to the S32 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick summary of how the L20 matches up vs the S32 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S32 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix L20 and Nikon Coolpix S32. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon L20 Gallery and Nikon S32 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Nikon S32
L20 | S32 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Nikon S32 over the Nikon L20
S32 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2014 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 61 months |
Common features in the Nikon L20 and Nikon S32
L20 | S32 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Nikon L20 vs Nikon S32 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon L20 has got outside measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Nikon S32 has proportions of 108mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).
Check the Nikon L20 and Nikon S32 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the L20 compared to the S32.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L20 and S32 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S32 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing specs. The picture underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the L20 and S32.
All in all, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The L20 due to its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Nikon S32 will provide more detail utilizing its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged L20 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S32 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S32 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L20 | Nikon Coolpix S32 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Nikon |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix L20 | Nikon Coolpix S32 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Waterproof |
Revealed | 2009-02-03 | 2014-02-07 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 4.8 x 3.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 17.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 13 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4160 x 3120 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 64 | 125 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 30-90mm (3.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 7.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 3.10 m |
Flash options | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920x1080 (30p), VGA 640x480 (30p, 15p) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 135g (0.30 pounds) | 175g (0.39 pounds) |
Dimensions | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 108 x 66 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") |
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 | - | 220 shots |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | EN-EL19 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (Approx. 10 seconds ) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD / SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $120 | $180 |