Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W
93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23


90 Imaging
34 Features
31 Overall
32
Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W 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
- Introduced February 2010
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
- 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
- Announced February 2009
- Additionally Known as WB550

Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview
Its time to take a closer look at the Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Nikon and Samsung. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and HZ15W (12MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The L21 was introduced 12 months later than the HZ15W which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the L21 matches up vs the HZ15W when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix L21 & Samsung HZ15W. The whole galleries are available at Nikon L21 Gallery & Samsung HZ15W Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Samsung HZ15W
L21 | HZ15W | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 12 months |
Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Nikon L21
HZ15W | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon L21 and Samsung HZ15W
L21 | HZ15W | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly display |
Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon L21 comes with exterior measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Samsung HZ15W has measurements of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).
See the Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the L21 against the HZ15W.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and HZ15W is 93 and 90 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by viewing a spec sheet. The visual below will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the L21 and HZ15W.
Clearly, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Samsung HZ15W to provide you with more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics much more aggressively. The fresher L21 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L21 | Samsung HZ15W | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Samsung |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L21 | Samsung HZ15W |
Also Known as | - | WB550 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2010-02-03 | 2009-02-23 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed C2 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 8MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 |
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 24-240mm (10.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.3-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.5" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 16 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 4.70 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure 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) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 169 grams (0.37 lb) | 249 grams (0.55 lb) |
Dimensions | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC, Internal | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $180 | $330 |