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Nikon L31 vs Sony W510

Portability
94
Imaging
41
Features
27
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix L31 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon L31 vs Sony W510 Key Specs

Nikon L31
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 59 x 29mm
  • Announced January 2015
Sony W510
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 119g - 96 x 54 x 20mm
  • Released January 2011
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Nikon L31 vs Sony W510 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Nikon L31 vs Sony W510, both Ultracompact cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the L31 (16MP) and W510 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L31 was unveiled 4 years later than the W510 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summation of how the L31 matches up against the W510 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon L31 over the Sony W510

 L31 W510 
ReleasedJanuary 2015January 2011More recent by 49 months
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony W510 over the Nikon L31

 W510 L31 

Common features in the Nikon L31 and Sony W510

 L31 W510 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Nikon L31 vs Sony W510 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L31 offers outer dimensions of 96mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony W510 has dimensions of 96mm x 54mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") having a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check out the Nikon L31 vs Sony W510 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the L31 and the W510.

Nikon L31 vs Sony W510 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L31 and W510 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L31 vs Sony W510 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L31 vs Sony W510 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements simply by researching technical specs. The visual underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the L31 and W510.

As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Nikon L31 to provide you with more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more modern L31 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon L31 vs Sony W510 sensor size comparison

Nikon L31 vs Sony W510 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L31 vs Sony W510 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L31 Portrait photography info
Sony W510 Portrait photography info
36
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
21
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L31
Street photography with Sony W510
56
has image stabilization (Digital)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than average in class (160 grams)
57
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L31
Sports photography with Sony W510
40
has image stabilization (Digital)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L31 Travel photography info
Sony W510 Travel photography info
68
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
rather wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (160 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
58
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L31 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W510 Landscape photography highlights
39
rather wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
32
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L31
Vlogging with Sony W510
65
rather wide (26mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Digital)
supports face detection focus
slow max aperture (f3.2)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
heavier than average in class (160g)
29
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Nikon L31 vs Sony W510 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L31 and Sony W510
 Nikon Coolpix L31Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L31 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2015-01-14 2011-01-06
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 10cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.60 m 2.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 gr (0.35 pounds) 119 gr (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 59 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 96 x 54 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8")
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 -
Type of battery AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $0 $99