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Nikon L20 vs Sigma SD15

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Sigma SD15 front
Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44

Nikon L20 vs Sigma SD15 Key Specs

Nikon L20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
  • Revealed February 2009
Sigma SD15
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
  • Introduced February 2010
  • Succeeded the Sigma SD14
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Nikon L20 vs Sigma SD15 Overview

Here is a thorough analysis of the Nikon L20 vs Sigma SD15, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Nikon and Sigma. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and SD15 (5MP) and the L20 (1/2.3") and SD15 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The L20 was introduced 12 months before the SD15 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon L20 being a Compact camera and the Sigma SD15 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the L20 matches up vs the SD15 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Sigma SD15

 L20 SD15 

Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Nikon L20

 SD15 L20 
IntroducedFebruary 2010February 2009Fresher by 12 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Sigma SD15

 L20 SD15 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Nikon L20 vs Sigma SD15 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon L20 comes with external measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD15 has sizing of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") having a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Look at the Nikon L20 vs Sigma SD15 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the L20 against the SD15.

Nikon L20 vs Sigma SD15 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L20 and SD15 is 94 and 59 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Sigma SD15 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sigma SD15 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing simply by checking specifications. The graphic below may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the L20 and SD15.

To sum up, both of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The L20 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Nikon L20 will give greater detail using its extra 5MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics way more aggressively. The older L20 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon L20 vs Sigma SD15 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L20
Portrait photography with Sigma SD15
19
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
50
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon L20 Street photography information
Sigma SD15 Street photography information
54
lighter than competitors in class (135g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
52
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L20
Sports photography with Sigma SD15
16
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Travel photography camera
Sigma SD15 as a Travel photography camera
55
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low resolution (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
42
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma SD15 as a Landscape photography camera
27
screen is a good size (3 inch)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
51
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L20
Vlogging with Sigma SD15
24
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone port
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon L20 vs Sigma SD15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Sigma SD15
 Nikon Coolpix L20Sigma SD15
General Information
Brand Nikon Sigma
Model Nikon Coolpix L20 Sigma SD15
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-02-03 2010-02-20
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - True II
Sensor type CCD CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 5 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 2640 x 1760
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max boosted ISO - 3200
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sigma SA
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.7 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 76
Crop factor 5.9 1.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.6x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 640x480 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135g (0.30 pounds) 750g (1.65 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2")
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 (10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $120 $1,500