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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS50 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
  • Revealed February 2010
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS60
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZS50, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and ZS50 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The L21 was manufactured 5 years earlier than the ZS50 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the L21 grades versus the ZS50 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Panasonic ZS50

 L21 ZS50 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Nikon L21

 ZS50 L21 
RevealedJanuary 2015February 2010Fresher by 59 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZS50

 L21 ZS50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon L21 enjoys external dimensions 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 ZS50 has measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZS50 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the L21 and the ZS50.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and ZS50 is 93 and 90 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing merely by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the L21 and ZS50.

As you can see, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS50 to produce greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older L21 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography info
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
low MP (8MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
42
focusing manually
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography highlights
46
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
68
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (243g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Sports photography camera
16
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low MP (8 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
43
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography highlights
50
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (8MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
66
lighter than competition in class (243 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Landscape photography camera
22
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.5 inch)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
low MP (8 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
51
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L21
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS50
21
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have mic support
34
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (243 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone socket
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZS50
 Nikon Coolpix L21Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-02-03 2015-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 6.40 m
Flash options 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169 gr (0.37 lb) 243 gr (0.54 lb)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 44
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 138
Other
Battery life - 300 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $180 $350