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Nikon L20 vs Pentax S1

Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Nikon L20 vs Pentax S1 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 S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Nikon L20 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Below is a complete analysis of the Nikon L20 versus Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and S1 (14MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The L20 was manufactured 3 years earlier than the S1 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the L20 grades vs the S1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Pentax S1

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

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Nikon L20

 S1 L20 
IntroducedMarch 2011February 2009More recent by 25 months
Manual focus More accurate focusing

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Pentax S1

 L20 S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Nikon L20 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon L20 enjoys outer measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Pentax S1 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Nikon L20 versus Pentax S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the L20 against the S1.

Nikon L20 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L20 and S1 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L20 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to picture the contrast in sensor measurements merely by seeing specifications. The visual here may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the L20 and S1.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should expect to see the Pentax S1 to show more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The older L20 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon L20 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L20 Portrait photography advice
Pentax S1 Portrait photography advice
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
35
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L20
Street photography with Pentax S1
54
lighter than competition (135g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L20 Sports photography highlights
Pentax S1 Sports photography highlights
16
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
39
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 Travel photography advice
Pentax S1 Travel photography advice
55
lighter than competition (135 grams)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
64
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L20 Landscape photography factors
Pentax S1 Landscape photography factors
26
nice screen size (3 inches)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
42
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax S1 as a Vlogging camera
24
lighter than competition (135g)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external microphone support
28
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic port
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Nikon L20 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Pentax S1
 Nikon Coolpix L20Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix L20 Pentax Optio S1
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-03 2011-03-02
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 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135g (0.30 lbs) 157g (0.35 lbs)
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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $120 $174