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Nikon L21 vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Nikon L21 vs Olympus VG-160 Key Specs

Nikon L21
(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
  • Introduced February 2010
Olympus VG-160
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Nikon L21 vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Nikon L21 and Olympus VG-160, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Nikon and Olympus. There exists a noticeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and VG-160 (14MP) but they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The L21 was launched 23 months prior to the VG-160 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the L21 grades vs the VG-160 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Olympus VG-160

 L21 VG-160 

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Nikon L21

 VG-160 L21 
IntroducedJanuary 2012February 2010Fresher by 23 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Olympus VG-160

 L21 VG-160 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Nikon L21 vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 features outside measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Olympus VG-160 has dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Examine the Nikon L21 and Olympus VG-160 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the L21 against the VG-160.

Nikon L21 vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L21 and VG-160 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing simply by researching specs. The photograph here should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the L21 and VG-160.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Olympus VG-160 to render extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The older L21 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Nikon L21 vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Portrait photography camera
18
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (8 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
33
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
offers face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Street photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Street photography camera
46
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
56
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Sports photography camera
15
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low MP (8MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
26
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (165 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography highlights
Olympus VG-160 Travel photography highlights
50
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
low MP (8MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
65
lighter than others in class (125g)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low battery power (165 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography features
Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography features
21
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.5")
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
low MP (8MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Timelapse function
36
really wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3")
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery power (165 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging information
Olympus VG-160 Vlogging information
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone jack
30
really wide (26mm)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than others in class (125g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone support
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Nikon L21 vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Olympus VG-160
 Nikon Coolpix L21Olympus VG-160
General Information
Company Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Olympus VG-160
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-02-03 2012-01-10
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
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 8MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing range 5cm 7cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 4.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169 gr (0.37 pounds) 125 gr (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 165 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA LI-70B
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $180 $90