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Nikon L20 vs Sony G3

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon L20 vs Sony G3 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
  • Released February 2009
Sony G3
(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
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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").

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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.

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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 dimension3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Sony G3

 L20 G3 
ReleasedFebruary 2009January 2009Similar generation
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon L20 vs Sony G3 size comparison

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

Nikon L20 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L20
Portrait photography with Sony G3
19
no manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
25
manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L20 Street photography features
Sony G3 Street photography features
54
lighter than competitors in class (135g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Sports photography camera
Sony G3 as a Sports photography camera
16
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 Travel photography highlights
Sony G3 Travel photography highlights
55
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
50
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L20 Landscape photography information
Sony G3 Landscape photography information
27
decent sized screen (3")
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
35
manual focus
lovely big screen (3.5")
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 Vlogging advice
Sony G3 Vlogging advice
24
lighter than competitors in class (135g)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
27
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Nikon L20 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Sony G3
 Nikon Coolpix L20Sony 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