Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-10
93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23


90 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-10 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-504mm (F3.1-4.4) lens
- 215g - 106 x 67 x 38mm
- Introduced February 2011

Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-10 Overview
Following is a complete analysis of the Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-10, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Olympus. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and SZ-10 (14MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The L21 was brought out 12 months before the SZ-10 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the L21 grades against the SZ-10 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-10 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix L21 and Olympus SZ-10. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon L21 Gallery and Olympus SZ-10 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Olympus SZ-10
L21 | SZ-10 |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-10 over the Nikon L21
SZ-10 | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2011 | ![]() | February 2010 | More modern by 12 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon L21 and Olympus SZ-10
L21 | SZ-10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-10 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 provides 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 Olympus SZ-10 has dimensions of 106mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs).
Check the Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-10 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the L21 versus the SZ-10.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L21 and SZ-10 is 93 and 90 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-10 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes just by checking technical specs. The image here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the L21 and SZ-10.
As you have seen, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Olympus SZ-10 to give more detail having its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged L21 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-10 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-10 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L21 | Olympus SZ-10 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Olympus |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix L21 | Olympus SZ-10 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2010-02-03 | 2011-02-08 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed C2 | TruePic III+ |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
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 | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4288 x 3216 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 28-504mm (18.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.1-4.4 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.5" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 7.10 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 | 169 gr (0.37 lb) | 215 gr (0.47 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 106 x 67 x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") |
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 photos |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | LI-50B |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $180 | $300 |