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Nikon L21 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Nikon L21 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Nikon L21
(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
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Nikon L21 versus Pentax VS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and VS20 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The L21 was brought out 24 months prior to the VS20 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a full comparison, below is a short view of how the L21 scores against the VS20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Pentax VS20

 L21 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Nikon L21

 VS20 L21 
LaunchedJanuary 2012February 2010Newer by 24 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Pentax VS20

 L21 VS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Nikon L21 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon L21 has external measurements 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 VS20 has proportions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon L21 versus Pentax VS20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the L21 compared to the VS20.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the L21 and VS20 is 93 and 90 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions just by checking out specifications. The pic below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the L21 and VS20.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Pentax VS20 to show extra detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged L21 will be behind in sensor technology.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography highlights
18
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (8MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
36
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography advice
Pentax VS20 Street photography advice
46
fixed screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography features
Pentax VS20 Sports photography features
15
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography information
Pentax VS20 Travel photography information
50
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (8MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Landscape photography camera
21
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse mode
47
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
no microphone jack
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Pentax VS20
 Nikon Coolpix L21Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix L21 Pentax Optio VS20
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-02-03 2012-01-25
Body design 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
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
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, 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
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 169 gr (0.37 pounds) 235 gr (0.52 pounds)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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-LI122
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $180 $106