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Nikon L21 vs Pentax P80

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Pentax Optio P80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
23
Overall
29

Nikon L21 vs Pentax P80 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 P80
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.6-5.8) lens
  • 125g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Revealed August 2009
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax P80 Overview

Lets look closer at the Nikon L21 and Pentax P80, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and P80 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The L21 was revealed 7 months later than the P80 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the L21 grades vs the P80 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Pentax P80

 L21 P80 
RevealedFebruary 2010August 2009Fresher by 7 months

Reasons to pick Pentax P80 over the Nikon L21

 P80 L21 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Pentax P80

 L21 P80 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Nikon L21 vs Pentax P80 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon L21 comes with exterior 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 P80 has sizing of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Nikon L21 and Pentax P80 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the L21 and the P80.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax P80 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and P80 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax P80 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax P80 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading specifications. The visual here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the L21 and P80.

Plainly, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Pentax P80 to deliver extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more modern L21 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax P80 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax P80 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Pentax P80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L21
Portrait photography with Pentax P80
18
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
has manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography advice
Pentax P80 Street photography advice
46
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
55
lighter than competition in class (125g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L21
Sports photography with Pentax P80
15
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
17
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax P80 as a Travel photography camera
50
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (8MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
61
lighter than competition in class (125g)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography info
Pentax P80 Landscape photography info
21
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.5 inches)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (8 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
32
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax P80 as a Vlogging camera
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
no mic port
28
quite wide (28mm)
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax P80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Pentax P80
 Nikon Coolpix L21Pentax Optio P80
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Pentax Optio P80
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-02-03 2009-08-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 64
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/2.6-5.8
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169g (0.37 pounds) 125g (0.28 pounds)
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 D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $180 $200