Nikon L21 vs Sony W650
93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23


96 Imaging
39 Features
32 Overall
36
Nikon L21 vs Sony W650 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
- 124g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
- Introduced January 2012

Nikon L21 vs Sony W650 Overview
Lets take a closer look at the Nikon L21 vs Sony W650, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and W650 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The L21 was unveiled 23 months prior to the W650 which makes them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the L21 matches up against the W650 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon L21 vs Sony W650 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix L21 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650. The full galleries are provided at Nikon L21 Gallery & Sony W650 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Sony W650
L21 | W650 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony W650 over the Nikon L21
W650 | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2012 | ![]() | February 2010 | Newer by 23 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Common features in the Nikon L21 and Sony W650
L21 | W650 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Nikon L21 vs Sony W650 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Nikon L21 features physical 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 W650 has specifications of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).
Check out the Nikon L21 vs Sony W650 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the L21 and the W650.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the L21 and W650 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Sony W650 Sensor Comparison
Usually, its tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions simply by seeing specs. The picture below should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L21 and W650.
As you can plainly see, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Sony W650 to show greater detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged L21 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon L21 vs Sony W650 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 vs Sony W650 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L21 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix L21 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2010-02-03 | 2012-01-10 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed C2 | BIONZ |
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 surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 8 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 38-136mm (3.6x) | 25-125mm (5.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.1-6.7 | f/2.6-6.3 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | - | Clear Photo TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 secs | 2 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 3.70 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB 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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 169 gr (0.37 pounds) | 124 gr (0.27 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
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 | - | 220 photographs |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | NP-BN |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $180 | $140 |