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Nikon L21 vs Pentax H90

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Pentax Optio H90 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30

Nikon L21 vs Pentax H90 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
  • Announced February 2010
Pentax H90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 153g - 101 x 65 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2010
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax H90 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Nikon L21 versus Pentax H90, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and H90 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The L21 was launched very close to the H90 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the L21 scores against the H90 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Pentax H90

 L21 H90 

Reasons to pick Pentax H90 over the Nikon L21

 H90 L21 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Pentax H90

 L21 H90 
AnnouncedFebruary 2010January 2010Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Nikon L21 vs Pentax H90 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon L21 offers outside measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Pentax H90 has sizing of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs).

Look at the Nikon L21 versus Pentax H90 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the L21 vs the H90.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax H90 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and H90 is 93 and 93 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax H90 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax H90 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions just by going over a spec sheet. The pic here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the L21 and H90.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Pentax H90 to deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax H90 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax H90 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Pentax H90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax H90 as a Portrait photography camera
18
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
27
manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Street photography camera
Pentax H90 as a Street photography camera
46
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography details
Pentax H90 Sports photography details
15
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography advice
Pentax H90 Travel photography advice
50
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
57
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L21
Landscape photography with Pentax H90
21
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
36
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax H90 as a Vlogging camera
21
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
no mic port
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax H90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Pentax H90
 Nikon Coolpix L21Pentax Optio H90
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Pentax Optio H90
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-02-03 2010-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 4.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169g (0.37 lbs) 153g (0.34 lbs)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 101 x 65 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1")
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 D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $180 $150