Nikon L21 vs Sony S950
93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23


94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26
Nikon L21 vs Sony S950 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed February 2010
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- No Video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Revealed February 2009

Nikon L21 vs Sony S950 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Nikon L21 and Sony S950, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the L21 (8MP) and the S950 (10MP) is very similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The L21 was unveiled 12 months later than the S950 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise summation of how the L21 scores versus the S950 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon L21 vs Sony S950 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix L21 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon L21 Gallery & Sony S950 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Sony S950
L21 | S950 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 12 months |
Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Nikon L21
S950 | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Common features in the Nikon L21 and Sony S950
L21 | S950 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | No Touch friendly display |
Nikon L21 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon L21 has got outer dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Sony S950 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check out the Nikon L21 and Sony S950 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the L21 versus the S950.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L21 and S950 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's tough to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the L21 and S950.
As you can see, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Sony S950 to offer extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The newer L21 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon L21 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 vs Sony S950 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L21 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix L21 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2010-02-03 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed C2 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor 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 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.5 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 secs | 2 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 3.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | None |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 169g (0.37 pounds) | 167g (0.37 pounds) |
Dimensions | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $180 | $130 |