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Nikon L21 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WS80 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
  • Released February 2010
Pentax WS80
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-175mm (F3.8-4.7) lens
  • 125g - 92 x 60 x 22mm
  • Launched August 2009
Photography Glossary

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Nikon L21 versus Pentax WS80, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the L21 (8MP) and the WS80 (10MP) is pretty similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The L21 was unveiled 7 months later than the WS80 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the L21 grades versus the WS80 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Pentax WS80

 L21 WS80 
LaunchedFebruary 2010August 2009Fresher by 7 months

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Nikon L21

 WS80 L21 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Pentax WS80

 L21 WS80 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 offers external dimensions 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 WS80 has dimensions of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Nikon L21 versus Pentax WS80 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 have during that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the L21 and the WS80.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the L21 and WS80 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing just by going over specifications. The photograph here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the L21 and WS80.

To sum up, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Pentax WS80 to offer more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The fresher L21 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Portrait photography camera
18
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (8MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
26
has manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L21
Street photography with Pentax WS80
46
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
59
weather proofing
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography highlights
Pentax WS80 Sports photography highlights
15
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
23
weather proofing
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L21
Travel photography with Pentax WS80
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
61
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
weather proofing
has built in flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L21
Landscape photography with Pentax WS80
21
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
31
has manual focus
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging information
Pentax WS80 Vlogging information
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external mic jack
25
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
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Nikon L21 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Pentax WS80
 Nikon Coolpix L21Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix L21 Pentax Optio WS80
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2010-02-03 2009-08-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
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) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.8-4.7
Macro focus range 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.40 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 exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 169g (0.37 lb) 125g (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
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 model 2 x AA D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $180 $220