Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-15
93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23
88 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43
Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-15 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)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
- Launched June 2013
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Let's take a more detailed look at the Nikon L21 versus Olympus SZ-15, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Olympus. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and SZ-15 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe L21 was announced 4 years earlier than the SZ-15 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the L21 grades vs the SZ-15 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Photography Glossary Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-15 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix L21 & Olympus SZ-15. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon L21 Gallery & Olympus SZ-15 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Olympus SZ-15
| L21 | SZ-15 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Nikon L21
| SZ-15 | L21 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | June 2013 | February 2010 | Fresher by 41 months | |
| Manually focus | Dial accurate focus | |||
| Display size | 3" | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") | |
| Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon L21 and Olympus SZ-15
| L21 | SZ-15 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | Lacking Touch display |
Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-15 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry your camera often, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon L21 enjoys exterior measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-15 has proportions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).
Check out the Nikon L21 versus Olympus SZ-15 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the L21 against the SZ-15.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and SZ-15 is 93 and 88 respectively.
Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-15 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing only by checking technical specs. The photograph below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the L21 and SZ-15.
As you have seen, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Olympus SZ-15 to resolve greater detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images way more aggressively. The older L21 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.
Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-15 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon L21 vs Olympus SZ-15 Specifications
| Nikon Coolpix L21 | Olympus SZ-15 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Nikon | Olympus |
| Model | Nikon Coolpix L21 | Olympus SZ-15 |
| Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Launched | 2010-02-03 | 2013-06-21 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | 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 surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 8MP | 16MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
| Lowest native ISO | 64 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Cross focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 23-483mm (21.0x) |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/2.8-5.9 |
| Macro focus range | 5cm | 5cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Display technology | - | LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 8 secs | 8 secs |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
| Continuous shooting speed | - | 10.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | - | 3.50 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| 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) | 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) |
| Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | Motion JPEG | AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 | 169 grams (0.37 pounds) | 250 grams (0.55 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" 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 model | 2 x AA | SLB-10A |
| Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Pricing at launch | $180 | $200 |