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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic S3 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 S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Following is a complete analysis of the Nikon L21 and Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and S3 (14MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The L21 was announced 11 months prior to the S3 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the L21 scores against the S3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Panasonic S3

 L21 S3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Nikon L21

 S3 L21 
RevealedJanuary 2011February 2010More modern by 11 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Panasonic S3

 L21 S3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon L21 comes with external dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Panasonic S3 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Look at the Nikon L21 and Panasonic S3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the L21 compared to the S3.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the L21 and S3 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specs. The image below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L21 and S3.

All in all, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic S3 to deliver extra detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged L21 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
19
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
28
MP count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
46
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Sports photography camera
16
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
35
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L21
Travel photography with Panasonic S3
50
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography highlights
22
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
38
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging information
Panasonic S3 Vlogging information
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
31
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone jack
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Panasonic S3
 Nikon Coolpix L21Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix L21 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-02-03 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
AE bracketing
White balance 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 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 169g (0.37 lbs) 117g (0.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 - 250 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $180 $110