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Nikon L21 vs Pentax W90

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W90 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 W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released February 2010
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Nikon L21 vs Pentax W90, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and W90 (12MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The L21 was brought out within a month of the W90 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the L21 scores versus the W90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Pentax W90

 L21 W90 

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Nikon L21

 W90 L21 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display dimension2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Pentax W90

 L21 W90 
ReleasedFebruary 2010February 2010Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon L21 enjoys 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) and the Pentax W90 has measurements of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Check out the Nikon L21 vs Pentax W90 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the L21 against the W90.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L21 and W90 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing merely by reading specifications. The graphic here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the L21 and W90.

To sum up, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should expect to see the Pentax W90 to offer you extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images somewhat more aggressively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax W90 Portrait photography highlights
18
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
megapixel count low (8MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
has manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography features
Pentax W90 Street photography features
46
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
54
environment proofing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography advice
Pentax W90 Sports photography advice
15
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (8MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
24
environment proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Travel photography camera
50
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (8MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
environment proofing
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Landscape photography camera
21
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.5")
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
36
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging highlights
Pentax W90 Vlogging highlights
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
25
really wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Pentax W90
 Nikon Coolpix L21Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Pentax Optio W90
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Announced 2010-02-03 2010-02-24
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
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 data 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169 grams (0.37 lbs) 164 grams (0.36 lbs)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $180 $120