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Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W 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
  • Introduced February 2010
Samsung HZ15W
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Samsung HZ15W

 L21 HZ15W 
AnnouncedFebruary 2010February 2009Fresher by 12 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Nikon L21

 HZ15W L21 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Samsung HZ15W

 L21 HZ15W 
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

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

Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Portrait photography camera
18
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
31
you can focus manually
has face detection autofocus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Street photography advice
46
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (249 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography highlights
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography highlights
15
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L21
Travel photography with Samsung HZ15W
50
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
54
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (249g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography details
Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography details
21
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
40
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging factors
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging factors
21
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone support
28
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (249 grams)
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Nikon L21 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Samsung HZ15W
 Nikon Coolpix L21Samsung 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