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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Nikon L20
(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
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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 S3 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Nikon L20 versus Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and S3 (14MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The L20 was introduced 23 months prior to the S3 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the L20 matches up against the S3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Panasonic S3

 L20 S3 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Nikon L20

 S3 L20 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011February 2009Newer by 23 months

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Panasonic S3

 L20 S3 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon L20 offers physical measurements 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 S3 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon L20 versus Panasonic S3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the L20 versus the S3.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L20 and S3 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions just by looking through specs. The image below will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the L20 and S3.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Panasonic S3 to render greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged L20 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
19
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
28
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
54
lighter than average (135g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L20 Sports photography advice
Panasonic S3 Sports photography advice
16
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Travel photography camera
55
lighter than average (135 grams)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than average in class (117g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L20
Landscape photography with Panasonic S3
27
screen is a good size (3 inch)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse function
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 Vlogging information
Panasonic S3 Vlogging information
24
lighter than average (135 grams)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone socket
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone port
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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Panasonic S3
 Nikon Coolpix L20Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-02-03 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135 gr (0.30 lb) 117 gr (0.26 lb)
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 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
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $120 $110