Nikon L21 vs Panasonic XS1
93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23


97 Imaging
39 Features
26 Overall
33
Nikon L21 vs Panasonic XS1 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed February 2010
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
- 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
- Released January 2013

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic XS1 Overview
Lets look more closely at the Nikon L21 vs Panasonic XS1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and XS1 (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The L21 was brought out 3 years before the XS1 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the L21 matches up versus the XS1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic XS1 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix L21 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon L21 Gallery & Panasonic XS1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Panasonic XS1
L21 | XS1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Nikon L21
XS1 | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2013 | ![]() | February 2010 | Fresher by 35 months |
Screen dimension | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Common features in the Nikon L21 and Panasonic XS1
L21 | XS1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Nikon L21 vs Panasonic XS1 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 has got outer measurements 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 XS1 has dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") having a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).
See the Nikon L21 vs Panasonic XS1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the L21 and the XS1.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and XS1 is 93 and 97 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic XS1 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing merely by reading through specifications. The photograph here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the L21 and XS1.
To sum up, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Panasonic XS1 to resolve more detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The older L21 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic XS1 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L21 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L21 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2010-02-03 | 2013-01-07 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed C2 | - |
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 | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 64 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 24-120mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/2.8-6.9 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.5 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 8s | 60s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 4.40 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB 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) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | 169 gr (0.37 pounds) | 103 gr (0.23 pounds) |
Dimensions | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") |
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 photographs |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $180 | $130 |