Nikon L20 vs Sony HX5
94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26


92 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Nikon L20 vs Sony HX5 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
- Announced February 2009
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Released June 2010

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX5 Overview
The following is a in depth analysis of the Nikon L20 versus Sony HX5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the L20 (10MP) and the HX5 (10MP) is relatively close but the L20 (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") come with totally different sensor measurements.

The L20 was released 16 months prior to the HX5 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short introduction of how the L20 scores against the HX5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX5 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix L20 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The complete galleries are available at Nikon L20 Gallery & Sony HX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Sony HX5
L20 | HX5 |
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Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Nikon L20
HX5 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 16 months |
Common features in the Nikon L20 and Sony HX5
L20 | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Nikon L20 vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L20 enjoys physical dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Sony HX5 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).
Compare the Nikon L20 versus Sony HX5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the L20 compared to the HX5.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the L20 and HX5 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison
Usually, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions merely by researching a spec sheet. The picture underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L20 and HX5.
As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact resolution albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The L20 features the bigger sensor which should make getting shallower DOF simpler. The more aged L20 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX5 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2009-02-03 | 2010-06-16 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.4" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3456 x 2592 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 64 | 125 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 3.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off | Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 135 gr (0.30 pounds) | 200 gr (0.44 pounds) |
Dimensions | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
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 | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC card, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $120 | $275 |