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Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S8100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
36
Overall
35

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100 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
  • Launched February 2010
Nikon S8100
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Nikon S8100

 L21 S8100 

Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Nikon L21

 S8100 L21 
AnnouncedSeptember 2010February 2010Fresher by 7 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Nikon S8100

 L21 S8100 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100 size comparison

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

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography info
Nikon S8100 Portrait photography info
18
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (8MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
26
offers face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography factors
Nikon S8100 Street photography factors
46
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S8100 as a Sports photography camera
15
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
38
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography information
Nikon S8100 Travel photography information
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (8MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
55
flash built-in
great reach (300mm)
no Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L21
Landscape photography with Nikon S8100
21
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
32
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L21
Vlogging with Nikon S8100
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external mic socket
30
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no external microphone port
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Nikon L21 vs Nikon S8100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Nikon S8100
 Nikon Coolpix L21Nikon 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