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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZR1 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
  • Announced February 2010
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
Photography Glossary

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZR1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and ZR1 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The L21 was manufactured 7 months later than the ZR1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the L21 scores vs the ZR1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Panasonic ZR1

 L21 ZR1 
IntroducedFebruary 2010July 2009Fresher by 7 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Nikon L21

 ZR1 L21 
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZR1

 L21 ZR1 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 has 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 ZR1 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZR1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the L21 and the ZR1.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and ZR1 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing only by checking specifications. The photograph here will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the L21 and ZR1.

To sum up, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic ZR1 to give extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher L21 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography advice
18
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
low resolution (8MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
20
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography advice
46
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography details
15
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (8MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography details
50
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
low resolution (8MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
57
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography factors
21
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (8 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse function
32
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging factors
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external microphone port
28
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZR1
 Nikon Coolpix L21Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Also called - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-02-03 2009-07-27
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 Venus Engine V
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 8MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169 grams (0.37 pounds) 158 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $180 $280