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Nikon L21 vs Pentax E90

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Pentax Optio E90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23

Nikon L21 vs Pentax E90 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
  • Released February 2010
Pentax E90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Announced January 2010
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax E90 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon L21 and Pentax E90, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the L21 (8MP) and the E90 (10MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L21 was manufactured at a similar time to the E90 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the L21 grades against the E90 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Pentax E90

 L21 E90 

Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Nikon L21

 E90 L21 
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Pentax E90

 L21 E90 
AnnouncedFebruary 2010January 2010Similar generation
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Nikon L21 vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 provides external 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) while the Pentax E90 has dimensions of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Compare the Nikon L21 and Pentax E90 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the L21 and the E90.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax E90 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L21 and E90 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor measurements only by going over specifications. The graphic underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the L21 and E90.

Plainly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Pentax E90 to offer you more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos more aggressively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Portrait photography camera
18
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (8MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
19
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L21
Street photography with Pentax E90
46
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
46
no moving screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography highlights
Pentax E90 Sports photography highlights
15
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
16
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Travel photography camera
50
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (8MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
50
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
low resolution (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography information
Pentax E90 Landscape photography information
21
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
22
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
no image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L21
Vlogging with Pentax E90
21
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic port
22
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax E90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Pentax E90
 Nikon Coolpix L21Pentax Optio E90
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Pentax Optio E90
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-02-03 2010-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 Prime
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 area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 32-95mm (3.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 6cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro -
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) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169 gr (0.37 lb) 145 gr (0.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 2 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $180 $100