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Nikon L21 vs Nikon S9700

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S9700 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
  • Released February 2010
Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Succeeded the Nikon S9500
  • Successor is Nikon S9900
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Nikon L21 vs Nikon S9700 Overview

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Nikon L21 vs Nikon S9700, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Nikon. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and S9700 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L21 was revealed 5 years earlier than the S9700 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the L21 scores against the S9700 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Nikon S9700

 L21 S9700 

Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Nikon L21

 S9700 L21 
IntroducedFebruary 2014February 2010More modern by 48 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Nikon S9700

 L21 S9700 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S9700 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon L21 has physical 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 S9700 has proportions of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon L21 vs Nikon S9700 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the L21 compared to the S9700.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S9700 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the L21 and S9700 is 93 and 90 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S9700 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S9700 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes only by seeing technical specs. The image here might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the L21 and S9700.

As you can tell, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Nikon S9700 to show extra detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged L21 will be behind in sensor technology.

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S9700 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S9700 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Nikon S9700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography features
Nikon S9700 Portrait photography features
18
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
37
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography information
Nikon S9700 Street photography information
46
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (232g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography details
Nikon S9700 Sports photography details
15
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
53
excellent zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
provides tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L21
Travel photography with Nikon S9700
50
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
low megapixels (8MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than others (232g)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (750mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography factors
Nikon S9700 Landscape photography factors
21
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse function
45
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S9700 as a Vlogging camera
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing microphone socket
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (232g)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of mic jack
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Nikon L21 vs Nikon S9700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Nikon S9700
 Nikon Coolpix L21Nikon Coolpix S9700
General Information
Make Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon Coolpix L21 Nikon Coolpix S9700
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-02-03 2014-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) 25-750mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.7-6.4
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed - 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (30/25p, 60/50i) 1280 x 720 (60/50/30/25/15/12.5p) 960 x 540 (30/25p) 640 x 480 (120/30/25p) 320 x 240 (240p)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 169g (0.37 lb) 232g (0.51 lb)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 300 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA EN-EL12
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $180 $350