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Nikon L20 vs Sony HX5

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
30
Overall
32

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX5 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
  • Announced February 2009
Sony HX5
(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
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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.

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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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Sony HX5

 L20 HX5 

Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Nikon L20

 HX5 L20 
ReleasedJune 2010February 2009Newer by 16 months

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Sony HX5

 L20 HX5 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kEqual 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX5 size comparison

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

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX5 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L20 Portrait photography information
Sony HX5 Portrait photography information
19
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
20
no manual focus
external flash not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.4")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L20 Street photography highlights
Sony HX5 Street photography highlights
54
lighter than average in class (135 grams)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.4")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L20 Sports photography information
Sony HX5 Sports photography information
16
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.4")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 Travel photography advice
Sony HX5 Travel photography advice
55
lighter than average in class (135 grams)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
60
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Landscape photography camera
27
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
37
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.4")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 Vlogging features
Sony HX5 Vlogging features
24
lighter than average in class (135g)
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone socket
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Nikon L20 vs Sony HX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Sony HX5
 Nikon Coolpix L20Sony 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