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Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3 Key Specs

Nikon L21
(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
Olympus SH-3
(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
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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").

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The 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.

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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 
ReleasedFebruary 2016February 2010Fresher by 73 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kClearer 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography features
Olympus SH-3 Portrait photography features
18
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
low MP (8MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
44
good MP (16MP)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW files
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography features
Olympus SH-3 Street photography features
46
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
provides focus by touch
lighter than competitors (271g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography info
Olympus SH-3 Sports photography info
15
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (8 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
has tracking focus
great battery pack (380 shots)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography information
Olympus SH-3 Travel photography information
50
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low MP (8 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
74
great battery pack (380 per charge)
lighter than competitors (271 grams)
provides focus by touch
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L21
Landscape photography with Olympus SH-3
21
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
low MP (8 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
55
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (380 shots)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging factors
Olympus SH-3 Vlogging factors
21
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic jack
35
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competitors (271g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of microphone jack
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Nikon L21 vs Olympus SH-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Olympus SH-3
 Nikon Coolpix L21Olympus 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