Nikon L20 vs Sony HX99
94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26


91 Imaging
45 Features
67 Overall
53
Nikon L20 vs Sony HX99 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)
- 18MP - 1/2.3-inch Sensor
- 3.00" Tilting Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
- 242g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Launched September 2018

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX99 Overview
Following is a complete assessment of the Nikon L20 vs Sony HX99, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and HX99 (18MP) and the L20 (1/2.3") and HX99 (1/2.3-inch) come with different sensor measurements.

The L20 was announced 10 years earlier than the HX99 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the L20 grades vs the HX99 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX99 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix L20 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon L20 Gallery & Sony HX99 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Sony HX99
L20 | HX99 |
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Reasons to pick Sony HX99 over the Nikon L20
HX99 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2018 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 116 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Nikon L20 and Sony HX99
L20 | HX99 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3.00" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Nikon L20 vs Sony HX99 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to carry around your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon L20 enjoys outer dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Sony HX99 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon L20 vs Sony HX99 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the L20 versus the HX99.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the L20 and HX99 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX99 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes purely by going over specs. The pic underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the L20 and HX99.
All in all, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The L20 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony HX99 will offer you more detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged L20 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX99 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sony HX99 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix L20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2009-02-03 | 2018-09-01 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3-inch |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 18 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4896 x 3672 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.5-6.4 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3.00 inch |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 638k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.5x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) |
Flash settings | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off | Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance 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) | 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p, 120p) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 3840x2160 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD, XAVC S |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 135 grams (0.30 pounds) | 242 grams (0.53 pounds) |
Dimensions | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 360 shots |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $120 | $469 |