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Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5300

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5300 front
Portability
95
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5300 Key Specs

Nikon L21
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
  • Revealed February 2010
Nikon S5300
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-208mm (F3.7-6.6) lens
  • 138g - 97 x 58 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2014
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Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5300 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5300, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are sold by Nikon. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and S5300 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The L21 was released 4 years before the S5300 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of how the L21 matches up versus the S5300 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Nikon S5300

 L21 S5300 

Reasons to pick Nikon S5300 over the Nikon L21

 S5300 L21 
LaunchedJanuary 2014February 2010More modern by 47 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Nikon S5300

 L21 S5300 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5300 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon L21 comes with outside 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 S5300 has proportions of 97mm x 58mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 138 grams (0.30 lbs).

Examine the Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5300 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the L21 versus the S5300.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5300 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and S5300 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5300 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5300 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes simply by looking at a spec sheet. The pic below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the L21 and S5300.

Clearly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Nikon S5300 to give extra detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged L21 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5300 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5300 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L21
Portrait photography with Nikon S5300
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
41
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography information
Nikon S5300 Street photography information
46
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (138 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography info
Nikon S5300 Sports photography info
16
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (180 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S5300 as a Travel photography camera
50
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
66
lighter than competition in class (138g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (180 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S5300 as a Landscape photography camera
22
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (8MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
46
manual focus
really wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery life (180 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging advice
Nikon S5300 Vlogging advice
21
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic socket
35
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (138g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic socket
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Nikon L21 vs Nikon S5300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Nikon S5300
 Nikon Coolpix L21Nikon Coolpix S5300
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Nikon Coolpix S5300
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-02-03 2014-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 8 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 26-208mm (8.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.7-6.6
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro -
External flash
Auto exposure 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 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 169 gr (0.37 pounds) 138 gr (0.30 pounds)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 97 x 58 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 - 180 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA EN-EL19
Self timer Yes Yes (10 or 2 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $180 $180