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Nikon L21 vs Pentax W80

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Pentax Optio W80 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W80 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
  • Launched February 2010
Pentax W80
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 156g - 100 x 56 x 25mm
  • Released June 2009
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax W80 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Nikon L21 versus Pentax W80, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and W80 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L21 was launched 8 months later than the W80 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple summary of how the L21 matches up against the W80 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Pentax W80

 L21 W80 
ReleasedFebruary 2010June 2009Fresher by 8 months

Reasons to pick Pentax W80 over the Nikon L21

 W80 L21 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Pentax W80

 L21 W80 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.5"2.5"Equal display sizing
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W80 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon L21 has outer 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) whilst the Pentax W80 has specifications of 100mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Look at the Nikon L21 versus Pentax W80 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the L21 compared to the W80.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W80 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and W80 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W80 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W80 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing merely by going through technical specs. The visual below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the L21 and W80.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Pentax W80 to provide extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images more aggressively. The younger L21 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W80 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W80 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax W80 as a Portrait photography camera
18
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (8MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography details
Pentax W80 Street photography details
46
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
54
environment proofing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L21
Sports photography with Pentax W80
15
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
24
environment proofing
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax W80 as a Travel photography camera
50
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
environment proofing
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography details
Pentax W80 Landscape photography details
21
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5")
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
36
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging details
Pentax W80 Vlogging details
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
no external mic jack
25
really wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax W80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Pentax W80
 Nikon Coolpix L21Pentax Optio W80
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Pentax Optio W80
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-02-03 2009-06-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 lbs) 156g (0.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 100 x 56 x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 ID 2 x AA D-LI78
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $180 $250