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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Nikon L21
(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
  • Introduced February 2010
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Here is a thorough overview of the Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZS5, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and ZS5 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L21 was launched 4 months prior to the ZS5 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the L21 grades against the ZS5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Panasonic ZS5

 L21 ZS5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Nikon L21

 ZS5 L21 
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZS5

 L21 ZS5 
LaunchedFebruary 2010June 2010Same age
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon L21 offers external dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS5 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZS5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the L21 and the ZS5.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L21 and ZS5 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing just by researching specs. The graphic here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the L21 and ZS5.

All in all, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Panasonic ZS5 to result in greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a bit more aggressively.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Portrait photography camera
18
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (8MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
provides face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography features
46
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (214 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography features
15
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
31
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography information
50
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than average (214 grams)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
no Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L21
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS5
21
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
33
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Vlogging camera
21
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than average (214g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone jack
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZS5
 Nikon Coolpix L21Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-02-03 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 Venus Engine HD II
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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
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 - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169g (0.37 pounds) 214g (0.47 pounds)
Physical dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $180 $300