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Nikon L20 vs Sony W230

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
25
Overall
31

Nikon L20 vs Sony W230 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 W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released February 2009
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Nikon L20 vs Sony W230 Overview

Following is a in-depth comparison of the Nikon L20 vs Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the L20 (10MP) and the W230 (12MP) is relatively well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The L20 was announced at a similar time to the W230 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the L20 matches up against the W230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Sony W230

 L20 W230 

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Nikon L20

 W230 L20 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Common features in the Nikon L20 and Sony W230

 L20 W230 
ReleasedFebruary 2009February 2009Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon L20 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon L20 has exterior measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Sony W230 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon L20 vs Sony W230 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the L20 versus the W230.

Nikon L20 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L20 and W230 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes merely by looking at specifications. The pic below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the L20 and W230.

Plainly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Sony W230 to give more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively.

Nikon L20 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L20 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L20
Portrait photography with Sony W230
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
27
manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L20
Street photography with Sony W230
54
lighter than average (135g)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L20 Sports photography information
Sony W230 Sports photography information
16
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L20 Travel photography info
Sony W230 Travel photography info
55
lighter than average (135g)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L20
Landscape photography with Sony W230
27
screen is a good size (3 inches)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
37
manual focus
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 Vlogging highlights
Sony W230 Vlogging highlights
24
lighter than average (135 grams)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have microphone socket
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Nikon L20 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L20 and Sony W230
 Nikon Coolpix L20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-02-03 2009-02-17
Physical type 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 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing range 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 1s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135 grams (0.30 lbs) 156 grams (0.34 lbs)
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 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 ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $120 $180