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Nikon L20 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Nikon L20 vs Pentax RS1500 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
  • Launched February 2009
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Nikon L20 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Nikon L20 vs Pentax RS1500, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and RS1500 (14MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L20 was manufactured 3 years earlier than the RS1500 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short highlight of how the L20 matches up vs the RS1500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Pentax RS1500

 L20 RS1500 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Nikon L20

 RS1500 L20 
IntroducedMarch 2011February 2009Fresher by 25 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Pentax RS1500

 L20 RS1500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Nikon L20 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L20 provides outer 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 Pentax RS1500 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

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Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the L20 against the RS1500.

Nikon L20 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the L20 and RS1500 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L20 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching specifications. The visual underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the L20 and RS1500.

Plainly, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Pentax RS1500 to render extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older L20 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon L20 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L20
Portrait photography with Pentax RS1500
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
35
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L20
Street photography with Pentax RS1500
54
lighter than competition in class (135g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
54
weather proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L20
Sports photography with Pentax RS1500
16
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
37
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
weather proof
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Travel photography camera
55
lighter than competition in class (135g)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low megapixels (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
weather proof
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L20 Landscape photography information
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography information
27
screen size is good (3 inches)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
40
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
weather proof
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L20
Vlogging with Pentax RS1500
24
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
25
really wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
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Nikon L20 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Pentax RS1500
 Nikon Coolpix L20Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix L20 Pentax Optio RS1500
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-03 2011-03-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135g (0.30 lb) 157g (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 - 260 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $120 $150