Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-12
93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23


89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-12 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
- Introduced February 2010
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
- Released January 2012

Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview
On this page, we will be looking at the Nikon L21 versus Olympus SZ-12, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Olympus. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and SZ-12 (14MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The L21 was launched 23 months earlier than the SZ-12 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the L21 scores against the SZ-12 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-12 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix L21 & Olympus SZ-12. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon L21 Gallery & Olympus SZ-12 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Olympus SZ-12
L21 | SZ-12 |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Nikon L21
SZ-12 | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2012 | ![]() | February 2010 | Newer by 23 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon L21 and Olympus SZ-12
L21 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly screen |
Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to travel with your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon L21 provides physical dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-12 has proportions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
Look at the Nikon L21 versus Olympus SZ-12 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the L21 against the SZ-12.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L21 and SZ-12 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reading through specs. The picture here may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the L21 and SZ-12.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Olympus SZ-12 to resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged L21 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L21 | Olympus SZ-12 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Olympus |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L21 | Olympus SZ-12 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2010-02-03 | 2012-01-10 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed C2 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
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 | 8 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4288 x 3216 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.0-6.9 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 8 secs | 4 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1700 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 169g (0.37 lb) | 226g (0.50 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") |
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 | - | 220 photographs |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | LI-50B |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $180 | $350 |