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Nikon L21 vs YI M1

Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
 
YI M1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
60
Features
66
Overall
62

Nikon L21 vs YI M1 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
  • Launched February 2010
YI M1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 350g - 114 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced September 2016
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Nikon L21 vs YI M1 Overview

Here is a detailed analysis of the Nikon L21 versus YI M1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Nikon and YI. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the L21 (8MP) and M1 (20MP) and the L21 (1/2.3") and M1 (Four Thirds) use different sensor sizes.

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The L21 was launched 7 years before the M1 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Nikon L21 being a Compact camera and the YI M1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summary of how the L21 scores versus the M1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the YI M1

 L21 M1 

Reasons to pick YI M1 over the Nikon L21

 M1 L21 
IntroducedSeptember 2016February 2010Fresher by 80 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon L21 and YI M1

 L21 M1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Nikon L21 vs YI M1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon L21 offers external measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs) while the YI M1 has measurements of 114mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 350 grams (0.77 lbs).

Compare the Nikon L21 versus YI M1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the L21 versus the M1.

Nikon L21 vs YI M1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the L21 and M1 is 93 and 87 respectively.

Nikon L21 vs YI M1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L21 vs YI M1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing merely by checking technical specs. The visual below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the L21 and M1.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The L21 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the YI M1 will resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The older L21 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon L21 vs YI M1 sensor size comparison

Nikon L21 vs YI M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L21 vs YI M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L21 Portrait photography factors
YI M1 Portrait photography factors
19
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
76
focusing manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L21 Street photography info
YI M1 Street photography info
46
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
74
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
good ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L21
Sports photography with YI M1
16
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
55
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
better than average battery power (450 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L21 Travel photography information
YI M1 Travel photography information
50
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
78
better than average battery power (450 per charge)
has bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
good megapixels (20MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L21 Landscape photography advice
YI M1 Landscape photography advice
22
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (8MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (450 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L21 Vlogging information
YI M1 Vlogging information
21
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have microphone port
33
touchscreen functionality
features face detection autofocus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no external mic jack
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Nikon L21 vs YI M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L21 and YI M1
 Nikon Coolpix L21YI M1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon YI
Model Nikon Coolpix L21 YI M1
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2010-02-03 2016-09-19
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 1600 25600
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 81
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 38-136mm (3.6x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.7 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.9 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Slow
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 75 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC
Highest video resolution 640x480 4096x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 169 gr (0.37 lb) 350 gr (0.77 lb)
Dimensions 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") 114 x 64 x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 450 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $180 $320