Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100
93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23


93 Imaging
35 Features
36 Overall
35
Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100 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
- Launched February 2010
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
- Announced September 2010

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100 Overview
Here, we will be analyzing the Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and they are both manufactured by Nikon. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and S8100 (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The L21 was unveiled 7 months earlier than the S8100 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the L21 matches up versus the S8100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix L21 and Nikon Coolpix S8100. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon L21 Gallery and Nikon S8100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Nikon S8100
L21 | S8100 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Nikon L21
S8100 | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | September 2010 | ![]() | February 2010 | Fresher by 7 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon L21 and Nikon S8100
L21 | S8100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | No Touch screen |
Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon L21 provides exterior 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) whilst the Nikon S8100 has specifications of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).
Compare the Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at the time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the L21 compared to the S8100.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and S8100 is 93 and 93 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100 Sensor Comparison
Usually, its hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out technical specs. The graphic below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the L21 and S8100.
As you can tell, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Nikon S8100 to produce greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older L21 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L21 | Nikon Coolpix S8100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Nikon |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix L21 | Nikon Coolpix S8100 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2010-02-03 | 2010-09-08 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed C2 | Expeed C2 |
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 | 8 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias 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 |
Min native ISO | 64 | 160 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 30-300mm (10.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.5-5.6 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.5" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 169g (0.37 pounds) | 180g (0.40 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") |
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 | - | 220 shots |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/SDHC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $180 | $299 |