Nikon L20 vs Sony G3
94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26


94 Imaging
32 Features
30 Overall
31
Nikon L20 vs Sony G3 Key Specs
(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
- Released February 2009
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
- 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
- Released January 2009

Nikon L20 vs Sony G3 Overview
Below, we will be comparing the Nikon L20 versus Sony G3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the L20 (10MP) and the G3 (10MP) is pretty similar and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The L20 was introduced very close to the G3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the L20 scores against the G3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon L20 vs Sony G3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix L20 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3. The whole galleries are available at Nikon L20 Gallery and Sony G3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Sony G3
L20 | G3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Nikon L20
G3 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen dimension | 3.5" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Nikon L20 and Sony G3
L20 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2009 | ![]() | January 2009 | Similar generation |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Nikon L20 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry your camera often, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L20 offers outer dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Sony G3 has dimensions of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).
See the Nikon L20 versus Sony G3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the L20 vs the G3.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the L20 and G3 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading specs. The visual below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L20 and G3.
All in all, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs but you may want to factor the production date of the products into consideration.

Nikon L20 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sony G3 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2009-02-03 | 2009-01-08 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 35-140mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.5-10.0 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3.5 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 1 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 4.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB 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) | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | 135 grams (0.30 lb) | 185 grams (0.41 lb) |
Dimensions | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card, Internal | Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $120 | $200 |