Nikon L20 vs Sony WX5
94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26


95 Imaging
35 Features
29 Overall
32
Nikon L20 vs Sony WX5 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
- Revealed February 2009
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.8" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
- 146g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
- Released July 2010

Nikon L20 vs Sony WX5 Overview
Here is a in depth analysis of the Nikon L20 versus Sony WX5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the L20 (10MP) and the WX5 (12MP) is fairly close and they feature the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The L20 was manufactured 17 months earlier than the WX5 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the L20 matches up versus the WX5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon L20 vs Sony WX5 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix L20 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5. The entire galleries are available at Nikon L20 Gallery and Sony WX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Sony WX5
L20 | WX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.8" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Nikon L20
WX5 | L20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 17 months |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+231k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon L20 and Sony WX5
L20 | WX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Missing Touch display |
Nikon L20 vs Sony WX5 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon L20 features exterior dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Sony WX5 has measurements of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") along with a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).
See the Nikon L20 versus Sony WX5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the L20 versus the WX5.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L20 and WX5 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Nikon L20 vs Sony WX5 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing purely by researching specifications. The photograph here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L20 and WX5.
To sum up, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Sony WX5 to provide you with more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The older L20 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon L20 vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L20 vs Sony WX5 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2009-02-03 | 2010-07-08 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
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 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 64 | 125 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 24-120mm (5.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/2.4-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 2.8 inches |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 461k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 seconds | 2 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 5.10 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | 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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 135g (0.30 lb) | 146g (0.32 lb) |
Dimensions | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") |
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-BN1 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $120 | $250 |