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Nikon L20 vs Nikon S32

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S32 front
Portability
90
Imaging
36
Features
23
Overall
30

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S32 Key Specs

Nikon L20
(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
Nikon S32
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Nikon S32

 L20 S32 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Nikon S32 over the Nikon L20

 S32 L20 
IntroducedFebruary 2014February 2009Newer by 61 months

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Nikon S32

 L20 S32 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S32 size comparison

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

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S32 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S32 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S32 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L20 Portrait photography features
Nikon S32 Portrait photography features
19
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
33
sensor resolution is decent (13MP)
comes with face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L20 Street photography factors
Nikon S32 Street photography factors
54
lighter than others in class (135 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
60
image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L20
Sports photography with Nikon S32
16
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
36
image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (13MP)
weather proofing
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/3")
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 Travel photography advice
Nikon S32 Travel photography advice
55
lighter than others in class (135g)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
low MP (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
58
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (13 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L20 Landscape photography info
Nikon S32 Landscape photography info
27
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
34
image stabilization (Digital)
sensor resolution is decent (13 megapixels)
weather proofing
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L20
Vlogging with Nikon S32
24
lighter than others in class (135 grams)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
no mic socket
30
image stabilization (Digital)
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no external microphone socket
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Nikon L20 vs Nikon S32 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Nikon S32
 Nikon Coolpix L20Nikon 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