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Nikon L31 vs Sony TX20

Portability
94
Imaging
41
Features
27
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix L31 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Nikon L31 vs Sony TX20 Key Specs

Nikon L31
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 59 x 29mm
  • Revealed January 2015
Sony TX20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
  • Launched February 2012
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Nikon L31 vs Sony TX20 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Nikon L31 vs Sony TX20, both Ultracompact cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the L31 (16MP) and the TX20 (16MP) is very close and they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The L31 was revealed 2 years after the TX20 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick overview of how the L31 matches up against the TX20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L31 over the Sony TX20

 L31 TX20 
LaunchedJanuary 2015February 2012More modern by 36 months
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Nikon L31

 TX20 L31 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon L31 and Sony TX20

 L31 TX20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display

Nikon L31 vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon L31 has physical dimensions of 96mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony TX20 has proportions of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon L31 vs Sony TX20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the L31 and the TX20.

Nikon L31 vs Sony TX20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L31 and TX20 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L31 vs Sony TX20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L31 vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes purely by researching technical specs. The image here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the L31 and TX20.

As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of files although you may want to take the age of the cameras into account. The younger L31 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon L31 vs Sony TX20 sensor size comparison

Nikon L31 vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L31 vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L31
Portrait photography with Sony TX20
36
megapixel count good (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
40
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L31 Street photography information
Sony TX20 Street photography information
56
has image stabilization (Digital)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
more heavy than others in class (160g)
67
image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch to focus
environment proof
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L31 as a Sports photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Sports photography camera
40
has image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
50
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
great battery pack (250 shots)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L31 as a Travel photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Travel photography camera
68
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
relatively wide (26mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (160g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
72
great battery pack (250 CIPA)
environment proof
offers touch to focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L31 Landscape photography factors
Sony TX20 Landscape photography factors
39
relatively wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse function
52
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
environment proof
great battery pack (250 CIPA)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L31 Vlogging details
Sony TX20 Vlogging details
65
relatively wide (26mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Digital)
features face detect autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (160g)
35
pretty wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
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Nikon L31 vs Sony TX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L31 and Sony TX20
 Nikon Coolpix L31Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L31 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Revealed 2015-01-14 2012-02-28
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/3.5-4.6
Macro focusing distance 10cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.60 m 3.70 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 grams (0.35 lbs) 133 grams (0.29 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 59 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 200 shots 250 shots
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA NP-BN
Self timer Yes (10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at release $0 $330