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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH20

Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH20 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
  • Launched February 2009
Panasonic FH20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS30
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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH20 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Nikon L20 and Panasonic FH20, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and FH20 (14MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The L20 was manufactured 11 months before the FH20 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the L20 scores versus the FH20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Panasonic FH20

 L20 FH20 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Nikon L20

 FH20 L20 
RevealedJanuary 2010February 2009More modern by 11 months

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Panasonic FH20

 L20 FH20 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH20 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon L20 comes with external dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Panasonic FH20 has specifications of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

See the Nikon L20 and Panasonic FH20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the L20 compared to the FH20.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the L20 and FH20 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over specs. The pic here may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L20 and FH20.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic FH20 to offer more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos more aggressively. The more aged L20 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH20 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FH20 as a Portrait photography camera
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L20 Street photography details
Panasonic FH20 Street photography details
54
lighter than others in class (135 grams)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L20 Sports photography info
Panasonic FH20 Sports photography info
16
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
low fps (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 Travel photography details
Panasonic FH20 Travel photography details
55
lighter than others in class (135 grams)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low MP (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L20 Landscape photography info
Panasonic FH20 Landscape photography info
26
screen is a good size (3 inches)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
37
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 Vlogging factors
Panasonic FH20 Vlogging factors
24
lighter than others in class (135g)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
28
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Panasonic FH20
 Nikon Coolpix L20Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FS30
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-03 2010-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-224mm (8.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 5.80 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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), 848 x 480 (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 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135 grams (0.30 lbs) 178 grams (0.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1")
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 ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $120 $179