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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Introduced February 2010
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ8, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and SZ8 (16MP) but they feature the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The L21 was revealed 4 years earlier than the SZ8 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a quick view of how the L21 grades vs the SZ8 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Panasonic SZ8

 L21 SZ8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Nikon L21

 SZ8 L21 
RevealedJanuary 2014February 2010More recent by 47 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Panasonic SZ8

 L21 SZ8 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 has got external measurements 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 SZ8 has dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ8 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the L21 vs the SZ8.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L21 and SZ8 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements purely by checking out specs. The visual here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the L21 and SZ8.

All in all, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should count on the Panasonic SZ8 to show more detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs much more aggressively. The older L21 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography factors
18
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (8MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
35
MP count decent (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography information
46
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L21
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
15
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography advice
50
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (8MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
lighter than competition (159 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
missing Timelapse function
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography information
21
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
42
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
no external mic support
32
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (159 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Panasonic SZ8
 Nikon Coolpix L21Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix L21 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-02-03 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 Venus Engine
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 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 169 gr (0.37 pounds) 159 gr (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 200 photographs
Form of battery - 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
Launch cost $180 $275