Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH27
94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26


94 Imaging
38 Features
34 Overall
36
Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH27 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed February 2009
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 152g - 99 x 57 x 28mm
- Announced January 2011

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH27 Overview
Here, we will be reviewing the Nikon L20 versus Panasonic FH27, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and FH27 (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The L20 was revealed 23 months prior to the FH27 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the L20 grades versus the FH27 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH27 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix L20 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon L20 Gallery & Panasonic FH27 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Panasonic FH27
L20 | FH27 |
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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH27 over the Nikon L20
FH27 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 23 months |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Nikon L20 and Panasonic FH27
L20 | FH27 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen |
Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH27 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon L20 features physical measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH27 has specifications of 99mm x 57mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") having a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon L20 versus Panasonic FH27 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the L20 compared to the FH27.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L20 and FH27 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH27 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements merely by reviewing technical specs. The photograph below will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the L20 and FH27.
As you have seen, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Panasonic FH27 to deliver extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older L20 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH27 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH27 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L20 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix L20 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2009-02-03 | 2011-01-05 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Venus Engine VI |
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 surface area | 27.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 64 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 28-224mm (8.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Touch Screen LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 60 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 4.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 5.80 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB 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) | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
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 gr (0.30 lb) | 152 gr (0.34 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 99 x 57 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 life | - | 250 pictures |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $120 | $229 |