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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH5

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH5 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
  • Released February 2010
Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS18
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH5 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Nikon L21 versus Panasonic FH5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and FH5 (16MP) but they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The L21 was unveiled 11 months prior to the FH5 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the L21 matches up against the FH5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Panasonic FH5

 L21 FH5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Nikon L21

 FH5 L21 
LaunchedJanuary 2011February 2010Fresher by 11 months
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Panasonic FH5

 L21 FH5 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon L21 provides external dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Panasonic FH5 has proportions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon L21 versus Panasonic FH5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the L21 and the FH5.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L21 and FH5 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing only by looking through specs. The photograph here might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L21 and FH5.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic FH5 to provide you with greater detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older L21 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH5 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L21
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH5
19
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
34
good megapixels (16MP)
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography info
Panasonic FH5 Street photography info
46
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
67
image stabilization (Optical)
features focus by touch
lighter than competitors (121g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FH5 Sports photography highlights
16
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (8 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FH5 as a Travel photography camera
50
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than competitors (121 grams)
features focus by touch
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography information
22
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.5 inches)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
38
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging factors
Panasonic FH5 Vlogging factors
21
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external microphone support
33
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than competitors (121g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Panasonic FH5
 Nikon Coolpix L21Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FS18
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-02-03 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 16 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 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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) 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 input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169 grams (0.37 lbs) 121 grams (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 - 260 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $180 $169