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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S1 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 S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2011
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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Nikon L20 and Panasonic S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the L20 (10MP) and the S1 (12MP) is fairly close and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The L20 was revealed 23 months before the S1 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the L20 scores versus the S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Panasonic S1

 L20 S1 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Nikon L20

 S1 L20 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011February 2009More modern by 23 months

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Panasonic S1

 L20 S1 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon L20 enjoys physical dimensions 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 Panasonic S1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

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Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the L20 versus the S1.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L20 and S1 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to picture the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through technical specs. The image here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the L20 and S1.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic S1 to render greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged L20 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L20 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic S1 Portrait photography factors
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
21
no manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L20 Street photography features
Panasonic S1 Street photography features
54
lighter than competition (135 grams)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Sports photography camera
16
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
27
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
55
lighter than competition (135g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
62
lighter than competition (117g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L20
Landscape photography with Panasonic S1
26
screen size is decent (3")
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
32
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L20
Vlogging with Panasonic S1
24
lighter than competition (135g)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
31
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Panasonic S1
 Nikon Coolpix L20Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix L20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 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 dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set 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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135g (0.30 lbs) 117g (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 240 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $120 $269