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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS45

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
55
Overall
46

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS45 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
  • Released February 2010
Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS40
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS50
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS45 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Nikon L21 versus Panasonic ZS45, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and ZS45 (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The L21 was revealed 5 years earlier than the ZS45 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the L21 matches up versus the ZS45 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Panasonic ZS45

 L21 ZS45 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Nikon L21

 ZS45 L21 
RevealedJanuary 2015February 2010More modern by 59 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1040k230kClearer screen (+810k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZS45

 L21 ZS45 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS45 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon L21 has got exterior measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS45 has specifications of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon L21 versus Panasonic ZS45 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the L21 vs the ZS45.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS45 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the L21 and ZS45 is 93 and 91 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS45 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS45 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reading specs. The pic below may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the L21 and ZS45.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Panasonic ZS45 to deliver greater detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged L21 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS45 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Portrait photography camera
19
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
37
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
no manual focus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L21
Street photography with Panasonic ZS45
46
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
69
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (249 grams)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L21
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS45
16
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (8MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
56
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery (350 shots)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography highlights
50
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
better than average battery (350 CIPA)
lighter than competition (249 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS45 Landscape photography factors
22
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5")
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (8MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
48
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
better than average battery (350 per charge)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS45 Vlogging factors
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
34
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (249 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic port
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZS45
 Nikon Coolpix L21Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix L21 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ57
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-02-03 2015-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 16 megapixels
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 pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 21
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 169g (0.37 pounds) 249g (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 - 350 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $180 $300