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Nikon L21 vs Sony W800

Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 front
Portability
96
Imaging
44
Features
29
Overall
38

Nikon L21 vs Sony W800 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 W800
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.4) lens
  • 125g - 97 x 55 x 21mm
  • Introduced February 2014
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Nikon L21 vs Sony W800 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Nikon L21 vs Sony W800, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and W800 (20MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L21 was manufactured 5 years prior to the W800 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the L21 scores vs the W800 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Sony W800

 L21 W800 

Reasons to pick Sony W800 over the Nikon L21

 W800 L21 
IntroducedFebruary 2014February 2010Newer by 49 months
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon L21 and Sony W800

 L21 W800 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Nikon L21 vs Sony W800 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Nikon L21 comes with 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) while the Sony W800 has specifications of 97mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Look at the Nikon L21 vs Sony W800 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the L21 vs the W800.

Nikon L21 vs Sony W800 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the L21 and W800 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs Sony W800 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs Sony W800 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions just by researching specifications. The image here should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L21 and W800.

Plainly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can expect the Sony W800 to provide you with extra detail due to its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged L21 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs Sony W800 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs Sony W800 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs Sony W800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography details
Sony W800 Portrait photography details
18
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (8MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
37
good megapixels (20MP)
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Street photography camera
Sony W800 as a Street photography camera
46
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (125g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L21 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W800 as a Sports photography camera
15
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
features tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L21
Travel photography with Sony W800
50
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
70
lighter than average (125g)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L21
Landscape photography with Sony W800
21
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
40
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L21
Vlogging with Sony W800
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have mic jack
33
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than average (125g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
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Nikon L21 vs Sony W800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and Sony W800
 Nikon Coolpix L21Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L21 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-02-03 2014-02-13
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 5152 x 3864
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
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) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.2-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVI MPEG4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 169 gr (0.37 lbs) 125 gr (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 97 x 55 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 NP-BN
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $180 $90