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Nikon L20 vs Nikon S640

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S640 front
Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S640 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 S640
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 130g - 91 x 55 x 21mm
  • Introduced August 2009
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Nikon L20 vs Nikon S640 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Nikon L20 vs Nikon S640, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and they are both manufactured by Nikon. The sensor resolution of the L20 (10MP) and the S640 (12MP) is pretty close and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The L20 was manufactured 6 months prior to the S640 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise summary of how the L20 grades versus the S640 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Nikon S640

 L20 S640 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Nikon S640 over the Nikon L20

 S640 L20 

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Nikon S640

 L20 S640 
IntroducedFebruary 2009August 2009Same age
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S640 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon L20 has got outer measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Nikon S640 has specifications of 91mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 130 grams (0.29 lbs).

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Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the L20 and the S640.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S640 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L20 and S640 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S640 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S640 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing technical specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the L20 and S640.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Nikon S640 to provide you with greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S640 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S640 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S640 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S640 as a Portrait photography camera
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
20
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L20 Street photography details
Nikon S640 Street photography details
54
lighter than competition (135 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (130 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L20 Sports photography information
Nikon S640 Sports photography information
16
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
33
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L20
Travel photography with Nikon S640
55
lighter than competition (135g)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
62
lighter than others in class (130g)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L20 Landscape photography factors
Nikon S640 Landscape photography factors
27
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
32
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S640 as a Vlogging camera
24
lighter than competition (135 grams)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
31
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (130g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
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Nikon L20 vs Nikon S640 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Nikon S640
 Nikon Coolpix L20Nikon Coolpix S640
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon Coolpix L20 Nikon Coolpix S640
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-02-03 2009-08-04
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed
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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/2.7-6.6
Macro focus range 5cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135 grams (0.30 pounds) 130 grams (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 91 x 55 x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model 2 x AA EN-EL12
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $120 $225