Clicky

Nikon L20 vs Nikon D500

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Nikon D500 front
Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75

Nikon L20 vs Nikon D500 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
  • Announced February 2009
Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Introduced January 2016
  • Old Model is Nikon D300S
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Nikon L20 vs Nikon D500 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Nikon L20 versus Nikon D500, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR and both are manufactured by Nikon. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and D500 (21MP) and the L20 (1/2.3") and D500 (APS-C) offer different sensor dimensions.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

The L20 was announced 8 years prior to the D500 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Nikon L20 being a Compact camera and the Nikon D500 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the L20 scores against the D500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Nikon D500

 L20 D500 

Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Nikon L20

 D500 L20 
IntroducedJanuary 2016February 2009More modern by 84 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k230kSharper display (+2129k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Nikon D500

 L20 D500 
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Nikon L20 vs Nikon D500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon L20 has got exterior 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 D500 has proportions of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") having a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs).

See the Nikon L20 versus Nikon D500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the L20 versus the D500.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon D500 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L20 and D500 is 94 and 56 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon D500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L20 vs Nikon D500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to picture the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading specifications. The pic below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the L20 and D500.

To sum up, both of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The L20 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Nikon D500 will offer you greater detail with its extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged L20 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon L20 vs Nikon D500 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Nikon D500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Nikon D500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D500 as a Portrait photography camera
19
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
79
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L20
Street photography with Nikon D500
54
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
68
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
includes touch to focus
environment proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L20
Sports photography with Nikon D500
16
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
good battery life (1,240 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 Travel photography info
Nikon D500 Travel photography info
55
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
68
good battery life (1,240 CIPA)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
includes touch to focus
decent megapixels (21MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Landscape Comparison

Nikon L20 Landscape photography info
Nikon D500 Landscape photography info
27
screen size is good (3")
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
77
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
decent megapixels (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
good battery life (1,240 CIPA)
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D500 as a Vlogging camera
24
lighter than competition in class (135g)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external mic jack
31
touch screen
has face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Nikon L20 vs Nikon D500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Nikon D500
 Nikon Coolpix L20Nikon D500
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix L20 Nikon D500
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-02-03 2016-01-05
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed 5
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 21 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 5568 x 3712
Max native ISO 1600 51200
Max enhanced ISO - 1640000
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 153
Cross type focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Nikon F
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.7 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 309
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 2,359k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.66x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
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) 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p
Max video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135 grams (0.30 lb) 860 grams (1.90 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 84
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1324
Other
Battery life - 1240 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA EN-EL15
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant)
Card slots Single Two
Launch pricing $120 $1,497