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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH7

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH7 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
  • Announced February 2010
Panasonic FH7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 19mm
  • Revealed September 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FS22
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH7 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Nikon L21 and Panasonic FH7, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and FH7 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The L21 was announced 19 months before the FH7 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick view of how the L21 grades versus the FH7 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Panasonic FH7

 L21 FH7 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH7 over the Nikon L21

 FH7 L21 
RevealedSeptember 2011February 2010More recent by 19 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Panasonic FH7

 L21 FH7 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH7 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and size. The Nikon L21 offers exterior measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH7 has specifications of 95mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Examine the Nikon L21 and Panasonic FH7 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the L21 compared to the FH7.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH7 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and FH7 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH7 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH7 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to picture the gap in sensor measurements only by looking through technical specs. The photograph below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the L21 and FH7.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic FH7 to result in more detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older L21 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH7 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH7 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L21
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH7
18
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
34
MP count decent (16MP)
offers face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography info
Panasonic FH7 Street photography info
46
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
67
image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FH7 as a Sports photography camera
15
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
offers tracking focus
low fps (4.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L21
Travel photography with Panasonic FH7
50
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (8MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
includes focus by touch
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L21
Landscape photography with Panasonic FH7
21
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
42
pretty wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging information
Panasonic FH7 Vlogging information
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
no mic support
34
pretty wide (28mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic FH7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Panasonic FH7
 Nikon Coolpix L21Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix L21 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FS22
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-02-03 2011-09-07
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 dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 169 gr (0.37 lbs) 126 gr (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 95 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 260 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $180 $149