Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3
93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23
88 Imaging
40 Features
51 Overall
44
Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3 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 125 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
- Released February 2016
- Older Model is Olympus SH-2
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3 Overview
On this page, we are comparing the Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Olympus. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and SH-3 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe L21 was manufactured 7 years before the SH-3 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the L21 matches up against the SH-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix L21 and Olympus Stylus SH-3. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon L21 Gallery and Olympus SH-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Olympus SH-3
| L21 | SH-3 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Nikon L21
| SH-3 | L21 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | February 2016 | February 2010 | Fresher by 73 months | |
| Display dimensions | 3" | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") | |
| Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) | |
| Touch display | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Nikon L21 and Olympus SH-3
| L21 | SH-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | No manual focusing | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Selfie screen | Missing selfie screen |
Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon L21 offers outside dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Olympus SH-3 has measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).
Look at the Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the L21 compared to the SH-3.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L21 and SH-3 is 93 and 88 respectively.
Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, its difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by looking through specifications. The graphic below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the L21 and SH-3.
To sum up, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Olympus SH-3 to result in extra detail due to its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The older L21 will be behind in sensor technology.
Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3 Screen and ViewFinder
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesStreet Comparison
Photography GlossarySports Comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsTravel Comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthLandscape Comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesVlogging Comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3 Specifications
| Nikon Coolpix L21 | Olympus Stylus SH-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Nikon | Olympus |
| Model | Nikon Coolpix L21 | Olympus Stylus SH-3 |
| Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Launched | 2010-02-03 | 2016-02-08 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Expeed C2 | TruePic VII |
| 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 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 |
| Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 64 | 125 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
| Highest aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.0-6.9 |
| Macro focus distance | 5cm | 3cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
| Display resolution | 230k dot | 460k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 8 secs | 30 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | - | 11.5 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | - | 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance 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) | 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 640x480 | 3840x2160 |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | H.264 |
| Microphone 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 | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 169 gr (0.37 pounds) | 271 gr (0.60 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall 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 | - | 380 shots |
| Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | 2 x AA | LI-92B |
| Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Retail cost | $180 | $579 |