Nikon L20 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS

Below is a extended review of the Nikon L20 versus Olympus XZ-2 iHS, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. The image resolution of the L20 (10MP) and the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) is relatively well matched but the L20 (1/2.3") and XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") have totally different sensor measurements.

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The L20 was unveiled 4 years prior to the XZ-2 iHS and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple summary of how the L20 grades versus the XZ-2 iHS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix L20 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS. The full galleries are available at Nikon L20 Gallery and Olympus XZ-2 iHS Gallery.

If you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L20 comes with external dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Olympus XZ-2 iHS has dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs).

Look at the Nikon L20 versus Olympus XZ-2 iHS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the L20 against the XZ-2 iHS.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the L20 and XZ-2 iHS is 94 and 85 respectively.

In many cases, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements only by looking at specifications. The graphic here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L20 and XZ-2 iHS.

To sum up, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The L20 using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS will resolve extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The older L20 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.