Nikon Coolpix L22 vs Pentax Optio P80: A Detailed Face-Off in Compact Cameras

When hunting for a compact digital camera, especially in the niche of small sensor compacts, choices can feel like navigating a labyrinth. Today, I’m diving deep into two oft-overlooked contenders in that arena: the Nikon Coolpix L22 and the Pentax Optio P80. Both debuted around 2009–2010, catering to photographers seeking simplicity without breaking the bank. But how do they really stack up when put through the wringer of real-world usage and technical scrutiny? Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the years, I’m your trusty guide on this journey - no marketing fluff, just honest, experience-driven insights.

Let’s start by sizing them up... literally.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: First Impressions Matter

At first glance, these two compacts might seem like distant cousins rather than twins. Nikon’s L22 measures 98x61x28 mm and weighs 183 grams (with battery), while the Pentax P80 is slimmer and lighter at 102x59x25 mm and 125 grams. The L22’s noticeably chunkier build offers a firmer grip, especially if you’ve got average or larger hands; its slightly raised contours convey a dependable heft without feeling like a brick. In contrast, the lighter Pentax is excellent for slipping in a pocket or purse - ideal for spontaneous travel snaps where every gram counts.

Ergonomically, Nikon is more… traditional. Physical buttons and a dedicated zoom lever feel intuitive even under hurried use. Pentax’s layout is just as serviceable but eschews manual focus in favor of some more user-selectable options, which we'll dissect shortly. Both lock in on usability for casual shooters, but personally, I find Nikon’s grip and tactile controls more reassuring for quick reaction shots.

About those controls - seen here in the top view - Nikon’s shutter button sits proudly with zoom toggle conveniently encircling it, making one-handed operation a breeze. Pentax, skinny as it is, places its controls ergonomically, but smaller buttons mean more deliberate presses. The lack of manual focus override on the Nikon is a bit of a bummer for enthusiasts, whereas the P80 at least offers manual focus (though limited in practice).

If pocketability and slip-and-go are priorities? Go Pentax. If ergonomics and a confident, substantial feel matter? Nikon will suit your hands better.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Core of Photography

Bone-deep bread and butter: sensor technology. Both cameras employ a 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring approximately 6.17x4.55 mm with a 12-megapixel resolution. That places them neck-and-neck on paper, but the devil lies in how each wrangles image fidelity.

I measured dynamic range through standardized testing and outdoor shoots - the Pentax offers a max native ISO of 6400 (down to 64), while Nikon caps at ISO 1600 with a bottom native ISO of 80. Higher ISO flexibility theoretically means Pentax performs better in low light, and indeed, my hands-on shoots verify that Pentax images maintain less noise at ISO 800 and above - a welcome trait for dimly lit interiors or dusk street photography.

Resolution-wise, both cameras output 4000x3000 pixels for the highest quality JPEGs, but Nikon’s imaging pipeline with the EXPEED C2 processor seems tuned for punchier but noisier images, sometimes exaggerating contrast. Pentax’s Prime processor, by contrast, lends images a smoother tonal gradation, though occasionally at the expense of sharpness. Neither camera supports RAW, so in-post sharpening and noise reduction on these JPEGs is your only recourse.

The standard anti-aliasing filter in both limits some micro-detail to avoid moiré but slightly softens fine textures. For landscapes, this means you’ll want to sharpen images in software. Both cameras offer 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, giving you flexibility for framing but no tilting toward professional ratios like 3:2 or 1:1.

Don’t expect DSLR-grade image quality here, but for casual shooting, Pentax’s better high ISO management nudges it ahead in this department.

Live View, Screens, and User Interface: Seeing is Shooting

Both sport fixed, non-touch LCDs: Nikon’s at 3 inches with 230K dots, and Pentax’s slightly smaller screen at 2.7 inches with the same resolution. In practice, Nikon’s larger size gives a marginally better preview real estate, but surprisingly, Pentax implements slightly better color rendering and contrast on its display, making it easier to judge exposure and focus under bright sunlight.

No electronic viewfinders (EVFs) on either - typical for budget compacts but a bummer for framing in direct sunlight. The absence of touchscreen means relying on physical buttons for navigation, which again favors Nikon's bigger buttons for faster menu toggling.

Both interfaces are beginner-friendly. Nikon’s menus are simpler (some might say oversimplified), while Pentax offers a smidge more customization, including custom white balance - which I found handy when shooting under mixed lighting.

Autofocus and Sharpening the Frame

The autofocus (AF) story here is decidedly basic. Both utilize contrast-detection AF exclusively. Nikon’s single AF mode with no continuous tracking means you'll want to lock focus carefully - ideal for static subjects, less so for moving targets.

Pentax ups the ante with 9 AF points (though cross-type points are unspecified), and offers single AF only, too. Neither is designed for sports or wildlife photography.

In daylight static scenes, both cameras lock focus reliably within a second - a modest achievement for budget compacts. But indoors or low light, hunting is slow and frustrating, especially on Nikon, where the limited AF system struggles to acquire focus and often fails on macro shots tighter than 10 cm despite Nikon’s claimed 5 cm macro range.

The lack of eye detection and face detection dampens portrait precision, so manual framing and timing matter a lot here. For photographers used to modern AF prowess, patience is key.

Lens and Zoom: Reaching In and Out

• Nikon L22: Fixed lens with a 37-134 mm equivalent zoom range (3.6× zoom), aperture F3.1–6.7
• Pentax P80: Fixed lens with 28-110 mm equivalent zoom (4× zoom), aperture F2.6–5.8

Pentax’s lens edges out Nikon’s with wider wide-angle coverage (28mm vs 37mm) and a slightly brighter maximum aperture. This makes the P80 more versatile - think of capturing wider landscapes or group shots indoors without scrambling backward, a lifesaver when you’re cramped.

The wider aperture on the Pentax lens also aids low-light photography, enabling faster shutter speeds and slightly shallower depth of field. The zoom reach is similar, though Nikon squeezes out a touch more telephoto range.

Regarding macro - Pentax focuses from 10 cm while Nikon claims 5 cm. In practice, Nikon’s macro shots often look a bit softer and darker, while Pentax captures clearer detail with better focus consistency. I suspect Pentax’s lens design excels here despite the slightly longer minimum focusing distance.

Burst Rate, Shutter Speeds, and Video Smarts

Burst shooting is a notable difference. Nikon offers no continuous shooting mode - a single shot only - while Pentax shoots at 3 fps (frames per second), limited to short bursts of 3 frames. Neither is ideal for action or sports but Pentax’s option unlocks some extra flexibility for casual users.

Shutter speed ranges diverge: Nikon spans 8 to 1/2000 second, Pentax 4 to 1/1000 second. Nikon’s longer minimum shutter speed (8 sec vs 4 sec) favors night and long exposure shooting, though neither camera supports Bulb mode. In practice, absence of RAW and fairly noisy images curtail nighttime astrophotography potential.

Video is a clear win for Pentax: supports HD recording at 1280x720 @ 30 fps alongside lower resolutions, using Motion JPEG codec. Nikon tops out at VGA 640x480p. Neither supports mic input or image stabilization for video, so expect handheld footage to look shaky and audio to be basic.

Battery Life and Storage: The Practicalities

Nikon takes AA batteries (2x AA), a convenient but antiquated choice. The ability to swap out batteries anywhere is nice, but AA rechargeables’ performance varies; expect moderate runtimes. Pentax uses a proprietary D-LI68 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, offering longer life and consistent voltage but needing a charger and backup battery for extended trips.

Storage-wise, both accept SD/SDHC cards plus internal memory (small and limiting). No dual card slots or high-speed media options here.

Connectivity on both is minimal: USB 2.0 only, no Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS, or Bluetooth. This means basic tethering and image transfer, lacking modern conveniences - a heavy tradeoff for casual users wanting instant sharing.

Build Quality and Reliability

Neither camera features environmental sealing, nor any shock, dust, or water resistance. These are indoor/outdoor lightweight compacts, but expect to baby them rather than toss them into punishing conditions.

The Nikon feels more robust in hand, but Pentax’s lighter chassis isn’t flimsy. Buttons are plastic but responsive on both. The Pentax’s manual focus ring felt a bit fiddly and had some play, hinting at less precision and durability over time.

Real-World Photography Genres: Who Shines Where?

To truly appreciate these cameras, let’s break their performances down by popular photography types - because the best camera is as much about fit as specs.

Portrait Photography

Without face or eye detection, both require manual focus care for sharp eyes - frustrating when kids or pets move unpredictably. Neither creates creamy bokeh - due to small sensor size and limited maximum aperture. Pentax’s slightly wider aperture and longer zoom range inch it ahead for small group portraits indoors, but neither is satisfying for professional-grade portraits.

Landscape Photography

Pentax’s 28mm wide-angle gives composition flexibility; Nikon’s 37mm is more cropped, limiting sweeping vistas. Dynamic range is shallow on both, constraining shadow detail. Weather sealing? Forget it. Both needed care protecting from moisture. I favored Pentax here for subtle tones and wider framing. Neither matches modern mirrorless or DSLRs here, but can deliver decent vacation snaps.

Wildlife and Sports

Neither camera was built for speed. Nikon’s lack of burst mode and slower autofocus killed any hopes for moving subjects. Pentax’s 3 fps burst is modestly better but still insufficient for wildlife in flight or fast sports. Autofocus hunting was common in low light or dense scenes. If you want to chase children or dogs, better aim higher.

Street Photography

Pentax’s smaller size and wider lens make it better for candid shots. Nikon’s chunkier build and slower AF are less discreet. Both struggle a bit in low light, but Pentax's higher max ISO helps. Noisy images limit quality in dim settings, but for social snapshots, either camera can suffice.

Macro Photography

Pentax’s 10 cm focal minimum produced slightly crisper close-ups than Nikon’s 5 cm claim, ironically. The Nikon’s macro shots suffered blur from slower AF and lack of image stabilization. Neither camera offers focus stacking or bracketing for depth-rich close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography

Neither camera is astrobiologist-grade. Nikon’s longer max exposure (8 sec) beats Pentax’s max 4 sec, but both struggle above ISO 800, with noise masking stars and detail. No RAW files limit post-processing options. Use tripod, low ISO, long exposure tricks, but temper expectations.

Video Recording

Pentax’s 720p HD video at 30 fps is the clear winner here, with more resolution options and HDMI output for monitoring or playback. Nikon’s video maxes out at VGA resolution, and no external mic input limits audio quality. Neither offers image stabilization or manual video controls, so videographers should look elsewhere.

Travel Photography

Both cameras are decent travel companions given their compactness and SD card support. Pentax’s lighter weight, wider lens, and HD video put it slightly ahead for versatility on the go. Nikon’s bulkier build and limited video frustrate active travelers. Battery swap convenience with AA cells is a minor consolation for Nikon.

Professional Use

Neither camera fits professional workflows. No RAW support, no tethering options, limited manual controls, and small, noisy sensors preclude serious assignments. These remain entry-level snapshot devices best suited for beginners or those simply wanting a simple step up from smartphone snaps.

Summarizing Performance and User Ratings

Based on my extended testing in labs and real environments, Pentax Optio P80 slightly outperforms Nikon Coolpix L22 in image quality, video, battery life, and versatility. Nikon attempts to bring sturdiness and straightforward simplicity but falls short on key modern needs like manual control and noise management.

Specialized Genre Scores: Who’s Best for What?

Here’s a quick overview of genre-specific scores (out of 10):

Pentax outperforms Nikon most notably in video and landscape, with slight advantages in portrait and travel adaptability. Neither is recommended for demanding photojournalism or wildlife enthusiasts.

Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

If ease-of-use and budget are the only criteria - and you want a camera that just works for simple daytime snapshots - the Nikon Coolpix L22 is decent. It’s robust and familiar, and AA batteries mean you can never be stranded without juice. However, if image quality and flexibility matter more, especially for travel, casual video, or low-light shots, Pentax's Optio P80 justifies its slight price premium with better optics, superior high ISO handling, manual focus, and HD video.

For hobbyists wanting to explore manual focus or cine-shooting, Pentax is the better pick. For those prioritizing traditional handling and a more substantial grip, Nikon might still be appealing.

Neither camera competes with modern mirrorless or advanced compacts from the 2010s onward - especially in autofocus, lens quality, or connectivity. But understanding their strengths offers insights into the evolution of compact digital cameras and helps value-conscious buyers decide.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

My personal experience across multi-year camera testing leads me to caution: while nostalgia and frugality are understandable, investing in cameras like these today only makes sense if you find a killer deal, or need something ultra-simple and rugged without fuss.

For anyone willing to spend a touch more, recent entry-level mirrorless cameras or even higher-end compacts (like Sony RX100 series or Canon G7X Mark II) offer transformative improvements in sensor tech, autofocus, video, and ergonomics.

That said, to those who appreciate solid pocketable compacts that don’t require an advanced learning curve, and mainly shoot in good light for social media sharing or family albums, these two remain valid and enjoyable options.

In closing: Pentax P80 feels like a slightly smarter, more versatile compact; Nikon L22 delivers simplicity and reliability in a chunkier package. Choose based on your particular photography rhythm - and happy shooting!

Nikon L22 front Nikon L22 screen back Pentax P80 front Pentax P80 screen back