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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH2

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH2 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
Panasonic FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FS16
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH2 Overview

The following is a comprehensive analysis of the Nikon L21 versus Panasonic FH2, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and FH2 (14MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L21 was brought out 11 months earlier than the FH2 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the L21 grades versus the FH2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Panasonic FH2

 L21 FH2 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Nikon L21

 FH2 L21 
IntroducedJanuary 2011February 2010Newer by 11 months
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Panasonic FH2

 L21 FH2 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera often, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon L21 comes with external measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Panasonic FH2 has proportions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon L21 versus Panasonic FH2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the L21 vs the FH2.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the L21 and FH2 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions purely by viewing technical specs. The pic below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the L21 and FH2.

As you have seen, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Panasonic FH2 to result in extra detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged L21 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH2 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FH2 Portrait photography advice
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (8MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
offers face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L21
Street photography with Panasonic FH2
46
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than competitors in class (121g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography features
Panasonic FH2 Sports photography features
16
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
good battery life (270 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FH2 as a Travel photography camera
50
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (8MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
72
good battery life (270 per charge)
lighter than competitors in class (121g)
provides focus by touch
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FH2 as a Landscape photography camera
22
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.5")
no manual control
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
41
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
good battery life (270 per charge)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L21
Vlogging with Panasonic FH2
21
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of mic support
32
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competitors in class (121 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone socket
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Panasonic FH2
 Nikon Coolpix L21Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FS16
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-02-03 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 lbs) 121 gr (0.27 lbs)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 270 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $180 $149