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Nikon L21 vs Pentax S1

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Nikon L21 vs Pentax S1 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
  • Introduced February 2010
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax S1 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Nikon L21 versus Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and S1 (14MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The L21 was announced 13 months before the S1 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the L21 grades versus the S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Pentax S1

 L21 S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Nikon L21

 S1 L21 
ReleasedMarch 2011February 2010Newer by 13 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Pentax S1

 L21 S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Nikon L21 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon L21 provides exterior measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Pentax S1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Nikon L21 versus Pentax S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the L21 against the S1.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the L21 and S1 is 93 and 93 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The image underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the L21 and S1.

As you can see, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Pentax S1 to give you extra detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged L21 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax S1 Portrait photography highlights
18
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low megapixels (8MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
35
focusing manually
good resolution (14MP)
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography features
Pentax S1 Street photography features
46
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L21
Sports photography with Pentax S1
15
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Travel photography camera
50
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low megapixels (8MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
64
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax S1 Landscape photography highlights
21
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
42
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging highlights
Pentax S1 Vlogging highlights
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
28
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Pentax S1
 Nikon Coolpix L21Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix L21 Pentax Optio S1
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-02-03 2011-03-02
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
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 rate - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 169 grams (0.37 lb) 157 grams (0.35 lb)
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 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 life - 260 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
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 One One
Retail cost $180 $174