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Nikon L26 vs Panasonic LX5

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
24
Overall
33
Nikon Coolpix L26 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic LX5 Key Specs

Nikon L26
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 164g - 96 x 60 x 29mm
  • Released February 2012
Panasonic LX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
  • Introduced December 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic LX3
  • Renewed by Panasonic LX7
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Nikon L26 vs Panasonic LX5 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Nikon L26 and Panasonic LX5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the L26 (16MP) and LX5 (10MP) and the L26 (1/2.3") and LX5 (1/1.63") use different sensor sizing.

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The L26 was introduced 2 months later than the LX5 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the L26 grades against the LX5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L26 over the Panasonic LX5

 L26 LX5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Nikon L26

 LX5 L26 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon L26 and Panasonic LX5

 L26 LX5 
IntroducedFebruary 2012December 2011Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic LX5 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon L26 has exterior measurements of 96mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LX5 has sizing of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Compare the Nikon L26 and Panasonic LX5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the L26 versus the LX5.

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic LX5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the L26 and LX5 is 93 and 88 respectively.

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic LX5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic LX5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through specifications. The photograph below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the L26 and LX5.

Plainly, both the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The L26 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh more challenging and the Nikon L26 will give extra detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images somewhat more aggressively.

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic LX5 sensor size comparison

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L26 vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L26 Portrait photography information
Panasonic LX5 Portrait photography information
34
good megapixels (16MP)
offers face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
41
has manual focus
exports RAW files
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Nikon L26 Street photography info
Panasonic LX5 Street photography info
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
more heavy than competition in class (271g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L26 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic LX5 Sports photography highlights
27
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L26 Travel photography info
Panasonic LX5 Travel photography info
62
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
no Timelapse function
bad battery (200 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
59
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (271 grams)
low megapixels (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L26
Landscape photography with Panasonic LX5
37
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery (200 shots)
no Timelapse function
52
has manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L26 Vlogging info
Panasonic LX5 Vlogging info
28
fairly wide (26mm)
offers face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
29
reasonably wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (271g)
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Nikon L26 vs Panasonic LX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L26 and Panasonic LX5
 Nikon Coolpix L26Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix L26 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-02-01 2011-12-15
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.63"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 24-90mm (3.8x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/2.0-3.3
Macro focus distance 10cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 7.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 164g (0.36 pounds) 271g (0.60 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 60 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 41
DXO Color Depth score not tested 19.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.8
DXO Low light score not tested 132
Other
Battery life 200 shots -
Style of battery AA -
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $70 $294