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Nikon L21 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Nikon L21 vs Pentax MX-1 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
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Launched July 2013
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Nikon L21 versus Pentax MX-1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the L21 (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") come with different sensor sizing.

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The L21 was launched 4 years earlier than the MX-1 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the L21 scores vs the MX-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Pentax MX-1

 L21 MX-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Nikon L21

 MX-1 L21 
LaunchedJuly 2013February 2010More recent by 41 months
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Pentax MX-1

 L21 MX-1 
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Nikon L21 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 has got outer measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Compare the Nikon L21 versus Pentax MX-1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the L21 against the MX-1.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and MX-1 is 93 and 84 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to visualize the difference between sensor measurements just by looking at specs. The visual below might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the L21 and MX-1.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The L21 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax MX-1 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older L21 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L21
Portrait photography with Pentax MX-1
18
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (8MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
42
focusing manually
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography features
Pentax MX-1 Street photography features
46
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
65
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (391g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Sports photography camera
15
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
good battery pack (290 shots)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L21
Travel photography with Pentax MX-1
50
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (8MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
61
good battery pack (290 shots)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Landscape photography camera
21
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (8MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
55
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (290 shots)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Vlogging camera
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic port
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Pentax MX-1
 Nikon Coolpix L21Pentax MX-1
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix L21 Pentax MX-1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-02-03 2013-07-01
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 169g (0.37 pounds) 391g (0.86 pounds)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 49
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.3
DXO Low light score not tested 208
Other
Battery life - 290 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA D-Li-106
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $180 $400