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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZR1 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
  • Released February 2009
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZR1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the L20 (10MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is very well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L20 was unveiled 5 months earlier than the ZR1 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the L20 matches up vs the ZR1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Panasonic ZR1

 L20 ZR1 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Nikon L20

 ZR1 L20 

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZR1

 L20 ZR1 
IntroducedFebruary 2009July 2009Similar age
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L20 enjoys external measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR1 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZR1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the L20 vs the ZR1.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the L20 and ZR1 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading through specs. The graphic here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the L20 and ZR1.

All in all, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZR1 to resolve greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics way more aggressively.

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L20 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography factors
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
20
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L20 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography highlights
54
lighter than competitors in class (135g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L20 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography highlights
16
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Travel photography camera
55
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
57
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L20 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography advice
27
pretty good screen size (3")
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
32
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L20
Vlogging with Panasonic ZR1
24
lighter than competitors in class (135g)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
28
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
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Nikon L20 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Panasonic ZR1
 Nikon Coolpix L20Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix L20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Also called - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-02-03 2009-07-27
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine V
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 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.10 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure 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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 135 grams (0.30 pounds) 158 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $120 $280