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Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5200

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5200 front
Portability
95
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5200 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
  • Announced February 2010
Nikon S5200
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-156mm (F) lens
  • 146g - 98 x 58 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
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Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5200 Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Nikon L21 versus Nikon S5200, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are offered by Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and S5200 (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L21 was announced 4 years earlier than the S5200 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short introduction of how the L21 scores vs the S5200 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Nikon S5200

 L21 S5200 

Reasons to pick Nikon S5200 over the Nikon L21

 S5200 L21 
ReleasedJanuary 2013February 2010More modern by 36 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Nikon S5200

 L21 S5200 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5200 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and size. The Nikon L21 enjoys outside dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Nikon S5200 has specifications of 98mm x 58mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon L21 versus Nikon S5200 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the L21 and the S5200.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5200 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and S5200 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5200 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5200 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reviewing technical specs. The picture here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the L21 and S5200.

As you have seen, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon S5200 to offer extra detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged L21 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5200 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5200 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5200 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S5200 Portrait photography highlights
18
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (8MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
30
good megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography info
Nikon S5200 Street photography info
46
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
48
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography information
Nikon S5200 Sports photography information
15
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
28
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (160 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography features
Nikon S5200 Travel photography features
50
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (8MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
68
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
great max aperture (f)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery (160 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography factors
Nikon S5200 Landscape photography factors
21
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (8MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
42
relatively wide (26mm)
great max aperture (f)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery (160 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging information
Nikon S5200 Vlogging information
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket
33
relatively wide (26mm)
great max aperture (f)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing external mic support
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Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5200 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Nikon S5200
 Nikon Coolpix L21Nikon Coolpix S5200
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Nikon Coolpix S5200
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-02-03 2013-01-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 64 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 26-156mm (6.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.7 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 169g (0.37 lb) 146g (0.32 lb)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 98 x 58 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" 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 life - 160 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA EN-EL19
Self timer Yes -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $180 $130