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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ1 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
  • Launched February 2010
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

The following is a complete analysis of the Nikon L21 versus Panasonic SZ1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and SZ1 (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The L21 was launched 23 months earlier than the SZ1 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the L21 scores against the SZ1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Panasonic SZ1

 L21 SZ1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Nikon L21

 SZ1 L21 
LaunchedJanuary 2012February 2010Newer by 23 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Panasonic SZ1

 L21 SZ1 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 has got exterior dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ1 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon L21 versus Panasonic SZ1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the L21 and the SZ1.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and SZ1 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reading specifications. The image here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the L21 and SZ1.

Plainly, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can expect the Panasonic SZ1 to deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged L21 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L21
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ1
19
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
34
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
46
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (131 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography info
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography info
16
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography info
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography info
50
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
low megapixels (8MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
70
lighter than competition in class (131g)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography information
22
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
43
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L21
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
32
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (131g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Panasonic SZ1
 Nikon Coolpix L21Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix L21 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-02-03 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
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 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
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 5.60 m
Flash modes 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
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 169g (0.37 lb) 131g (0.29 lb)
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 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $180 $179