Nikon L20 vs Nikon S8100
94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26


93 Imaging
35 Features
36 Overall
35
Nikon L20 vs Nikon S8100 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)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
- Released September 2010

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S8100 Overview
Let's examine more closely at the Nikon L20 versus Nikon S8100, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are created by Nikon. The resolution of the L20 (10MP) and the S8100 (12MP) is fairly similar and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The L20 was introduced 19 months prior to the S8100 making the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the L20 matches up against the S8100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S8100 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix L20 & Nikon Coolpix S8100. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon L20 Gallery & Nikon S8100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Nikon S8100
L20 | S8100 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Nikon L20
S8100 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | September 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 19 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon L20 and Nikon S8100
L20 | S8100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly display |
Nikon L20 vs Nikon S8100 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L20 comes with outside dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Nikon S8100 has dimensions of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).
Check the Nikon L20 versus Nikon S8100 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the L20 compared to the S8100.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L20 and S8100 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S8100 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's hard to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions only by going over specs. The picture underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the L20 and S8100.
All in all, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Nikon S8100 to offer greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged L20 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S8100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 vs Nikon S8100 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L20 | Nikon Coolpix S8100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Nikon |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L20 | Nikon Coolpix S8100 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2009-02-03 | 2010-09-08 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 64 | 160 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 30-300mm (10.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.5-5.6 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
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 | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 135 grams (0.30 lb) | 180 grams (0.40 lb) |
Dimensions | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 life | - | 220 photographs |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $120 | $299 |