Nikon L20 vs Sony W620
94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26


96 Imaging
37 Features
25 Overall
32
Nikon L20 vs Sony W620 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)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
- 116g - 98 x 56 x 20mm
- Announced January 2012

Nikon L20 vs Sony W620 Overview
In this article, we will be looking at the Nikon L20 and Sony W620, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the L20 (10MP) and W620 (14MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The L20 was revealed 3 years earlier than the W620 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the L20 scores vs the W620 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon L20 vs Sony W620 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix L20 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W620. The full galleries are provided at Nikon L20 Gallery & Sony W620 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Sony W620
L20 | W620 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Sony W620 over the Nikon L20
W620 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 35 months |
Common features in the Nikon L20 and Sony W620
L20 | W620 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Nikon L20 vs Sony W620 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon L20 comes with physical measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Sony W620 has specifications of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 116 grams (0.26 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon L20 and Sony W620 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the L20 vs the W620.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L20 and W620 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Sony W620 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes simply by seeing a spec sheet. The pic below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the L20 and W620.
As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Sony W620 to provide more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged L20 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon L20 vs Sony W620 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sony W620 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W620 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W620 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2009-02-03 | 2012-01-10 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 64 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.2-6.5 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | - | Clear Photo TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 8s | 2s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 3.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic 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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 135 grams (0.30 lbs) | 116 grams (0.26 lbs) |
Dimensions | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 life | - | 220 pictures |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | NP-BN |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $120 | $102 |