Clicky

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-30

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Ricoh WG-30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-30 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
  • Revealed February 2010
Ricoh WG-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 123 x 62 x 30mm
  • Introduced October 2014
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-30 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-30, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by rivals Nikon and Ricoh. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and WG-30 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The L21 was unveiled 5 years before the WG-30 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the L21 scores against the WG-30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Ricoh WG-30

 L21 WG-30 

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-30 over the Nikon L21

 WG-30 L21 
IntroducedOctober 2014February 2010More modern by 56 months
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Ricoh WG-30

 L21 WG-30 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-30 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 has got outside measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Ricoh WG-30 has dimensions of 123mm x 62mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the L21 and the WG-30.

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-30 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L21 and WG-30 is 93 and 91 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-30 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes only by checking specs. The pic here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the L21 and WG-30.

All in all, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Ricoh WG-30 to resolve extra detail having an extra 8MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged L21 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-30 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography features
Ricoh WG-30 Portrait photography features
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (8MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
36
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L21
Street photography with Ricoh WG-30
46
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
62
built in image stabilization (Digital)
environment proofing
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography details
Ricoh WG-30 Sports photography details
16
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
45
built in image stabilization (Digital)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography features
Ricoh WG-30 Travel photography features
50
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography info
Ricoh WG-30 Landscape photography info
22
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
43
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging information
Ricoh WG-30 Vlogging information
21
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
33
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
supports face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone jack
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Ricoh WG-30
 Nikon Coolpix L21Ricoh WG-30
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Ricoh
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Ricoh WG-30
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Revealed 2010-02-03 2014-10-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 8MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
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 range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169g (0.37 pounds) 192g (0.42 pounds)
Physical dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 123 x 62 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 life - 300 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $180 $428