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Nikon L20 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS

Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Nikon L20 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS 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
Olympus SZ-16 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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Nikon L20 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Nikon L20 versus Olympus SZ-16 iHS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Olympus. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and SZ-16 iHS (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L20 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the SZ-16 iHS and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the L20 scores vs the SZ-16 iHS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 L20 SZ-16 iHS 

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Nikon L20

 SZ-16 iHS L20 
RevealedJanuary 2013February 2009More recent by 47 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 L20 SZ-16 iHS 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Nikon L20 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon L20 provides outside measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-16 iHS has specifications of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

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Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the L20 compared to the SZ-16 iHS.

Nikon L20 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the L20 and SZ-16 iHS is 94 and 89 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS top view buttons comparison

Nikon L20 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor measurements just by going over specifications. The graphic here should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the L20 and SZ-16 iHS.

Plainly, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to offer extra detail having an extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The older L20 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon L20 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L20 Portrait photography advice
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography advice
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
34
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L20 Street photography factors
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography factors
54
lighter than competition (135g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (226g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L20 Sports photography details
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography details
16
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 Travel photography features
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography features
55
lighter than competition (135 grams)
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
low MP (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
65
lighter than others (226 grams)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery pack (220 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L20 Landscape photography information
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography information
26
decent sized screen (3 inch)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse recording
41
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery pack (220 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Vlogging camera
24
lighter than competition (135 grams)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
no microphone port
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focus
lighter than others (226g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
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Nikon L20 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS
 Nikon Coolpix L20Olympus SZ-16 iHS
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Coolpix L20 Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-02-03 2013-01-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135 grams (0.30 pounds) 226 grams (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" 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 style - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA LI-50B
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $120 $230