Clicky

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX7V

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX7V 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 HX7V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Launched July 2011
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX7V Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Nikon L20 vs Sony HX7V, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and HX7V (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The L20 was launched 3 years prior to the HX7V which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the L20 scores versus the HX7V with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Sony HX7V

 L20 HX7V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Nikon L20

 HX7V L20 
LaunchedJuly 2011February 2009More modern by 29 months
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Sony HX7V

 L20 HX7V 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon L20 has got exterior measurements 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 HX7V has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Look at the Nikon L20 vs Sony HX7V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the L20 versus the HX7V.

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX7V size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the L20 and HX7V is 94 and 92 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX7V top view buttons comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes only by checking a spec sheet. The picture below should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the L20 and HX7V.

As you can see, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Sony HX7V to give more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged L20 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX7V sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX7V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L20
Portrait photography with Sony HX7V
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
30
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L20
Street photography with Sony HX7V
54
lighter than competition (135g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Nikon L20 Sports photography details
Sony HX7V Sports photography details
16
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 Travel photography details
Sony HX7V Travel photography details
55
lighter than competition (135 grams)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
no Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L20
Landscape photography with Sony HX7V
27
screen is a good size (3 inches)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
42
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse mode
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L20
Vlogging with Sony HX7V
24
lighter than competition (135 grams)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
32
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no microphone support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX7V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Sony HX7V
 Nikon Coolpix L20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix L20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-02-03 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 64 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 4.80 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135 gr (0.30 lbs) 208 gr (0.46 lbs)
Physical 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, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail price $120 $499