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Nikon L21 vs Sony HX5

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
30
Overall
32

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX5 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 HX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Introduced June 2010
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Nikon L21 vs Sony HX5 Overview

The following is a complete assessment of the Nikon L21 and Sony HX5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the L21 (8MP) and the HX5 (10MP) is fairly close but the L21 (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") come with different sensor measurements.

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The L21 was announced 4 months earlier than the HX5 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the L21 grades versus the HX5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Sony HX5

 L21 HX5 

Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Nikon L21

 HX5 L21 
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Sony HX5

 L21 HX5 
IntroducedFebruary 2010June 2010Same generation
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and volume. The Nikon L21 provides exterior dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Sony HX5 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

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Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view size comparison of the L21 vs the HX5.

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX5 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and HX5 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions only by researching technical specs. The picture here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the L21 and HX5.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The L21 with its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Sony HX5 will provide you with greater detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos much more aggressively.

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX5 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Portrait photography camera
19
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
low resolution (8MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
20
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Street photography camera
46
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography details
Sony HX5 Sports photography details
16
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (8MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography features
Sony HX5 Travel photography features
50
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
low resolution (8 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
60
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography details
Sony HX5 Landscape photography details
22
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.5 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
37
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L21
Vlogging with Sony HX5
21
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
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Nikon L21 vs Sony HX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Sony HX5
 Nikon Coolpix L21Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-02-03 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 Bionz
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 3456 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 64 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
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) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169g (0.37 lbs) 200g (0.44 lbs)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $180 $275