Nikon L21 vs Pentax H90
93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23


93 Imaging
35 Features
24 Overall
30
Nikon L21 vs Pentax H90 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax H90 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix L21 & Pentax Optio H90. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon L21 Gallery & Pentax H90 Gallery.
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 sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Common features in the Nikon L21 and Pentax H90
L21 | H90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2010 | ![]() | January 2010 | Similar age |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax H90 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L21 | Pentax 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 |