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Nikon L20 vs Sony W220

Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon L20 vs Sony W220 Key Specs

Nikon L20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
  • Revealed February 2009
Sony W220
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-7.1) lens
  • 147g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
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Nikon L20 vs Sony W220 Overview

Following is a complete overview of the Nikon L20 and Sony W220, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the L20 (10MP) and the W220 (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The L20 was unveiled about the same time to the W220 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple overview of how the L20 grades versus the W220 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Sony W220

 L20 W220 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony W220 over the Nikon L20

 W220 L20 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Sony W220

 L20 W220 
ReleasedFebruary 2009January 2009Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Nikon L20 vs Sony W220 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L20 provides outside dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Sony W220 has dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 147 grams (0.32 lbs).

Look at the Nikon L20 and Sony W220 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the L20 versus the W220.

Nikon L20 vs Sony W220 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L20 and W220 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Sony W220 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sony W220 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes purely by researching technical specs. The picture here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the L20 and W220.

As you have seen, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can count on the Sony W220 to result in greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively.

Nikon L20 vs Sony W220 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sony W220 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Sony W220 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L20 Portrait photography details
Sony W220 Portrait photography details
19
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
has manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Street photography camera
Sony W220 as a Street photography camera
54
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L20 Sports photography advice
Sony W220 Sports photography advice
16
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 Travel photography features
Sony W220 Travel photography features
55
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L20
Landscape photography with Sony W220
26
pretty good screen size (3")
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
32
has manual focus
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W220 as a Vlogging camera
24
lighter than competition in class (135g)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external microphone port
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Nikon L20 vs Sony W220 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Sony W220
 Nikon Coolpix L20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/2.8-7.1
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 1 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 7.10 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, Flash On, Slow Syncro, Red-eye, Flash Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (8 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135 grams (0.30 pounds) 147 grams (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $120 $160