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Nikon L21 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Nikon L21 vs Pentax RS1500 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
  • Launched February 2010
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Nikon L21 versus Pentax RS1500, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and RS1500 (14MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The L21 was launched 13 months earlier than the RS1500 making them a generation away from one another. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a short view of how the L21 grades against the RS1500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Pentax RS1500

 L21 RS1500 

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Nikon L21

 RS1500 L21 
IntroducedMarch 2011February 2010Newer by 13 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Pentax RS1500

 L21 RS1500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Nikon L21 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon L21 enjoys exterior dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Pentax RS1500 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Nikon L21 versus Pentax RS1500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the L21 compared to the RS1500.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and RS1500 is 93 and 93 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by looking at a spec sheet. The pic here might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the L21 and RS1500.

As you can see, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Pentax RS1500 to give you more detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images way more aggressively. The more aged L21 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography features
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography features
19
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
low resolution (8MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
35
focusing manually
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography highlights
Pentax RS1500 Street photography highlights
46
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
54
weather sealing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography features
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography features
16
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low resolution (8 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
37
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography factors
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography factors
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low resolution (8 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
67
weather sealing
good megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography details
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography details
22
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (8 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
40
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L21
Vlogging with Pentax RS1500
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
25
fairly wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone port
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Pentax RS1500
 Nikon Coolpix L21Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Pentax Optio RS1500
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-02-03 2011-03-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE 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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169 grams (0.37 pounds) 157 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life - 260 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $180 $150