Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S3
94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S3 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)
- 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
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").
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe 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.
Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S3 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix L20 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon L20 Gallery & Panasonic S3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Panasonic S3
L20 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Nikon L20
S3 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2011 | February 2009 | Newer by 23 months |
Common features in the Nikon L20 and Panasonic S3
L20 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | Lack of manual focus | |||
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Same 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.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.
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L20 and S3 is 94 and 96 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Nikon L20 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L20 | Panasonic 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 |