Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH5
94 Imaging
32 Features
17 Overall
26


96 Imaging
38 Features
31 Overall
35
Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH5 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
- 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
- Launched January 2011
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS18

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH5 Overview
In this article, we are evaluating the Nikon L20 and Panasonic FH5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and FH5 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The L20 was manufactured 23 months earlier than the FH5 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a short summary of how the L20 scores versus the FH5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH5 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix L20 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5. The entire galleries are available at Nikon L20 Gallery and Panasonic FH5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Panasonic FH5
L20 | FH5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Nikon L20
FH5 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 23 months |
Common features in the Nikon L20 and Panasonic FH5
L20 | FH5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | No Touch display |
Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH5 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon L20 has got external dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Panasonic FH5 has measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).
Look at the Nikon L20 and Panasonic FH5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the L20 versus the FH5.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the L20 and FH5 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH5 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizing merely by looking through specifications. The graphic underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L20 and FH5.
Plainly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should anticipate the Panasonic FH5 to render extra detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older L20 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic FH5 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L20 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L20 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 |
Also called as | - | Lumix DMC-FS18 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2009-02-03 | 2011-01-05 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Venus Engine IV |
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 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 64 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.1-6.5 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 secs | 60 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 4.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 3.30 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB 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 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 135g (0.30 pounds) | 121g (0.27 pounds) |
Dimensions | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 260 photos |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $120 | $169 |