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Nikon L21 vs Sony G3

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon L21 vs Sony G3 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
  • Launched February 2010
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2009
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Nikon L21 vs Sony G3 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Nikon L21 vs Sony G3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the L21 (8MP) and the G3 (10MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The L21 was announced 14 months later than the G3 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the L21 grades vs the G3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Sony G3

 L21 G3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2010January 2009More recent by 14 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Nikon L21

 G3 L21 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen dimensions3.5"2.5"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Sony G3

 L21 G3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Nikon L21 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon L21 comes with exterior measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Sony G3 has sizing of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Check out the Nikon L21 vs Sony G3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the L21 against the G3.

Nikon L21 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L21 and G3 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to visualize the difference in sensor measurements purely by researching specs. The visual underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the L21 and G3.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sony G3 to render extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The newer L21 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Nikon L21 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L21
Portrait photography with Sony G3
19
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (8MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
26
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography factors
Sony G3 Street photography factors
46
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Sports photography camera
Sony G3 as a Sports photography camera
16
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
low max shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography factors
Sony G3 Travel photography factors
50
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (8MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
50
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low MP (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography highlights
Sony G3 Landscape photography highlights
22
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.5 inch)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
36
focusing manually
bigger than average screen (3.5 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging factors
Sony G3 Vlogging factors
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external mic port
27
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone port
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Nikon L21 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Sony G3
 Nikon Coolpix L21Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-02-03 2009-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 8 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3.5"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 1 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 640x480
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169 gr (0.37 lb) 185 gr (0.41 lb)
Physical dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
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 ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $180 $200