Nikon L21 vs Pentax RZ18
93 Imaging
32 Features
11 Overall
23


92 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38
Nikon L21 vs Pentax RZ18 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)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
- Launched September 2011

Nikon L21 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview
Below is a in depth overview of the Nikon L21 vs Pentax RZ18, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The L21 was announced 19 months earlier than the RZ18 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a concise summary of how the L21 grades versus the RZ18 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax RZ18 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix L21 and Pentax Optio RZ18. The whole galleries are available at Nikon L21 Gallery and Pentax RZ18 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Pentax RZ18
L21 | RZ18 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Nikon L21
RZ18 | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2011 | ![]() | February 2010 | More recent by 19 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon L21 and Pentax RZ18
L21 | RZ18 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch screen |
Nikon L21 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon L21 provides external dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Pentax RZ18 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).
See the Nikon L21 vs Pentax RZ18 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at the time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the L21 and the RZ18.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L21 and RZ18 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements simply by checking out specifications. The graphic below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the L21 and RZ18.
To sum up, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Pentax RZ18 to produce greater detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older L21 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L21 | Pentax Optio RZ18 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Pentax |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L21 | Pentax Optio RZ18 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2010-02-03 | 2011-09-12 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed C2 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 8 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 25-450mm (18.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.5-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 4cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8s | 4s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 2.80 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
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 format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 169 grams (0.37 pounds) | 178 grams (0.39 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery model | 2 x AA | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $180 | $210 |