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Nikon L21 vs Nikon S31

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S31 Key Specs

Nikon L21
(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
  • Released February 2010
Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Launched June 2013
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Nikon L21 vs Nikon S31 Overview

The following is a in depth overview of the Nikon L21 versus Nikon S31, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof and both of them are created by Nikon. The image resolution of the L21 (8MP) and the S31 (10MP) is fairly well matched but the L21 (1/2.3") and S31 (1/2.9") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The L21 was manufactured 4 years before the S31 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a short view of how the L21 grades against the S31 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Nikon S31

 L21 S31 

Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Nikon L21

 S31 L21 
LaunchedJune 2013February 2010Newer by 41 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Nikon S31

 L21 S31 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S31 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 enjoys exterior measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Nikon S31 has dimensions of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Look at the Nikon L21 versus Nikon S31 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the L21 compared to the S31.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S31 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and S31 is 93 and 90 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S31 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S31 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading through technical specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the L21 and S31.

As you have seen, each of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The L21 due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Nikon S31 will give greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images more aggressively. The more aged L21 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S31 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S31 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S31 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography advice
Nikon S31 Portrait photography advice
18
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
19
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography highlights
Nikon S31 Street photography highlights
46
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
52
weather sealing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.9")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography advice
Nikon S31 Sports photography advice
15
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
24
weather sealing
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography factors
Nikon S31 Travel photography factors
50
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
59
weather sealing
has built in flash
good max aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography info
Nikon S31 Landscape photography info
21
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
30
good max aperture (f)
weather sealing
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging info
Nikon S31 Vlogging info
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have microphone jack
24
good max aperture (f)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
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Nikon L21 vs Nikon S31 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Nikon S31
 Nikon Coolpix L21Nikon Coolpix S31
General Information
Company Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Nikon Coolpix S31
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2010-02-03 2013-06-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.9"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 4.96 x 3.72mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 18.5mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 29-87mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.7 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 7.3
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro -
External flash
AEB
WB 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
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 169 grams (0.37 lbs) 185 grams (0.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7")
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 life - 260 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA EN-EL12
Self timer Yes -
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD / SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $180 $90