Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS45
93 Imaging
32 Features
11 Overall
23


91 Imaging
41 Features
55 Overall
46
Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS45 Key Specs
(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
(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- Superseded the Panasonic ZS40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

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").

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.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS45 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix L21 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45. The full galleries are available at Nikon L21 Gallery and Panasonic ZS45 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Panasonic ZS45
L21 | ZS45 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Nikon L21
ZS45 | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2015 | ![]() | February 2010 | More modern by 59 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L21 | Panasonic 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 |