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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS8 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
  • Revealed February 2010
Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS7
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS8, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and ZS8 (14MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The L21 was unveiled 17 months before the ZS8 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the L21 grades vs the ZS8 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Panasonic ZS8

 L21 ZS8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Nikon L21

 ZS8 L21 
ReleasedJuly 2011February 2010More modern by 17 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZS8

 L21 ZS8 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 enjoys outside 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) whilst the Panasonic ZS8 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check out the Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS8 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the L21 versus the ZS8.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L21 and ZS8 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes purely by looking at a spec sheet. The picture below might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the L21 and ZS8.

As you can see, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic ZS8 to resolve extra detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged L21 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography advice
19
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
MP count low (8 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
30
good resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Street photography factors
46
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography advice
16
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (8MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
47
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography factors
50
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
MP count low (8 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition in class (210g)
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography details
22
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.5")
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse recording
44
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging factors
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone port
30
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
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Nikon L21 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Panasonic ZS8
 Nikon Coolpix L21Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-02-03 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169 grams (0.37 pounds) 210 grams (0.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 life - 340 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 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 Single Single
Retail price $180 $275