Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-M1
93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23


91 Imaging
38 Features
22 Overall
31
Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 1.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- (1×)mm (F2.8) lens
- 190g - 66 x 43 x 89mm
- Released September 2014

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Overview
Below, we are matching up the Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-M1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by brands Nikon and Ricoh. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and WG-M1 (14MP) but they feature the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The L21 was launched 5 years earlier than the WG-M1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick summation of how the L21 matches up vs the WG-M1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix L21 & Ricoh WG-M1. The complete galleries are available at Nikon L21 Gallery & Ricoh WG-M1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Ricoh WG-M1
L21 | WG-M1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 2.5" | ![]() | 1.5" | Larger display (+1") |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 115k | Crisper display (+115k dot) |
Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-M1 over the Nikon L21
WG-M1 | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | September 2014 | ![]() | February 2010 | More recent by 56 months |
Common features in the Nikon L21 and Ricoh WG-M1
L21 | WG-M1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon L21 enjoys exterior dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Ricoh WG-M1 has measurements of 66mm x 43mm x 89mm (2.6" x 1.7" x 3.5") with a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-M1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the L21 compared to the WG-M1.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and WG-M1 is 93 and 91 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Sensor Comparison
Often, its tough to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements only by researching a spec sheet. The visual here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the L21 and WG-M1.
As you can see, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can anticipate the Ricoh WG-M1 to result in extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The older L21 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 vs Ricoh WG-M1 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L21 | Ricoh WG-M1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Ricoh |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix L21 | Ricoh WG-M1 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Waterproof |
Released | 2010-02-03 | 2014-09-12 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed C2 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 8MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 800 |
Min native ISO | 64 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | (1×) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/2.8 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.5" | 1.5" |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 115k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 seconds | - |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | - |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | - | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 960 (50p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 848 x 480 (60p, 120p) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 169 gr (0.37 lb) | 190 gr (0.42 lb) |
Dimensions | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 66 x 43 x 89mm (2.6" x 1.7" x 3.5") |
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 | - | 350 photos |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | DB-65 |
Self timer | Yes | - |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC, Internal | microSD/microSDHC, internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $180 | $2,000 |