Nikon L21 vs Nikon S30
93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23


90 Imaging
32 Features
18 Overall
26
Nikon L21 vs Nikon S30 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
- Revealed February 2010
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
- Released February 2012

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S30 Overview
Below, we are reviewing the Nikon L21 vs Nikon S30, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are manufactured by Nikon. The image resolution of the L21 (8MP) and the S30 (10MP) is fairly well matched but the L21 (1/2.3") and S30 (1/3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

The L21 was announced 24 months prior to the S30 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the L21 matches up vs the S30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S30 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix L21 and Nikon Coolpix S30. The whole galleries are available at Nikon L21 Gallery and Nikon S30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Nikon S30
L21 | S30 |
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Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Nikon L21
S30 | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2012 | ![]() | February 2010 | More recent by 24 months |
Display dimension | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Common features in the Nikon L21 and Nikon S30
L21 | S30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly display |
Nikon L21 vs Nikon S30 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to lug around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon L21 features external measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Nikon S30 has sizing of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon L21 vs Nikon S30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the L21 against the S30.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L21 and S30 is 93 and 90 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S30 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be hard to envision the gap between sensor measurements merely by looking at specs. The photograph below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the L21 and S30.
As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The L21 having a larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF easier and the Nikon S30 will resolve extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images much more aggressively. The older L21 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S30 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L21 | Nikon Coolpix S30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Nikon |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L21 | Nikon Coolpix S30 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2010-02-03 | 2012-02-01 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed C2 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 4.8 x 3.6mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 17.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 8 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 29-87mm (3.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 7.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.5 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | - | TFT-LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 1.5 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
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) | 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 169g (0.37 lb) | 214g (0.47 lb) |
Dimensions | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") |
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 life | - | 240 photographs |
Form of battery | - | AA |
Battery model | 2 x AA | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $180 | $119 |