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Nikon L21 vs Sony HX50V

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V front
Portability
89
Imaging
44
Features
57
Overall
49

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX50V 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
  • Released February 2010
Sony HX50V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
  • 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
  • Revealed April 2013
  • Older Model is Sony HX30V
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Nikon L21 vs Sony HX50V Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Nikon L21 versus Sony HX50V, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and HX50V (20MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L21 was launched 4 years earlier than the HX50V and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the L21 grades vs the HX50V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Sony HX50V

 L21 HX50V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Nikon L21

 HX50V L21 
RevealedApril 2013February 2010Fresher by 39 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Sony HX50V

 L21 HX50V 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L21 enjoys outer dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Sony HX50V has dimensions of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon L21 versus Sony HX50V in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the L21 compared to the HX50V.

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX50V size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the L21 and HX50V is 93 and 89 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX50V top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by seeing technical specs. The photograph here may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L21 and HX50V.

As you can tell, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Sony HX50V to provide extra detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The older L21 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX50V sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Sony HX50V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography info
Sony HX50V Portrait photography info
18
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (8MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
50
manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
provides face detect focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography highlights
Sony HX50V Street photography highlights
46
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (272 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 Sports photography features
Sony HX50V Sports photography features
15
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
resolution not great (8MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
57
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
great battery power (400 per charge)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX50V as a Travel photography camera
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (8MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
great battery power (400 per charge)
lighter than others (272 grams)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5 )
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX50V Landscape photography advice
21
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.5")
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
53
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
great battery power (400 shots)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5 )
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging advice
Sony HX50V Vlogging advice
21
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
34
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (272 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5 )
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
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Nikon L21 vs Sony HX50V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Sony HX50V
 Nikon Coolpix L21Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-02-03 2013-04-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 5184 x 2920
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-136mm (3.6x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.5 - 6.3
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - XtraFine LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169g (0.37 lb) 272g (0.60 lb)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
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 - 400 shots
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA NP-BX1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $180 $439