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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic TS3

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic TS3 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
  • Introduced February 2010
Panasonic TS3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FT3
  • Replaced the Panasonic TS2
  • New Model is Panasonic TS4
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic TS3 Overview

The following is a extended review of the Nikon L21 and Panasonic TS3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and TS3 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The L21 was unveiled 18 months prior to the TS3 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the L21 scores versus the TS3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Panasonic TS3

 L21 TS3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS3 over the Nikon L21

 TS3 L21 
LaunchedAugust 2011February 2010Newer by 18 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Panasonic TS3

 L21 TS3 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic TS3 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 enjoys outside 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) while the Panasonic TS3 has dimensions of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs).

Look at the Nikon L21 and Panasonic TS3 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 differ depending on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the L21 and the TS3.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic TS3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L21 and TS3 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic TS3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic TS3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over specs. The picture below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the L21 and TS3.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic TS3 to offer more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged L21 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic TS3 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic TS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic TS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography features
Panasonic TS3 Portrait photography features
18
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L21
Street photography with Panasonic TS3
46
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography information
Panasonic TS3 Sports photography information
15
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
37
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery power (310 CIPA)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
low frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography features
Panasonic TS3 Travel photography features
50
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
63
better than average battery power (310 CIPA)
environment sealing
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L21
Landscape photography with Panasonic TS3
21
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
38
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
better than average battery power (310 shots)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging info
Panasonic TS3 Vlogging info
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of microphone port
31
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic TS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Panasonic TS3
 Nikon Coolpix L21Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FT3
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2010-02-03 2011-08-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 Venus Engine FHD
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 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-128mm (4.6x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169g (0.37 pounds) 197g (0.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 310 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $180 $380