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Nikon L31 vs Sony W550

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
27
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix L31 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Nikon L31 vs Sony W550 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 W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Nikon L31 vs Sony W550 Overview

The following is a in-depth comparison of the Nikon L31 vs Sony W550, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the L31 (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is relatively close and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The L31 was announced 3 years after the W550 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the L31 grades versus the W550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L31 over the Sony W550

 L31 W550 
LaunchedJanuary 2015July 2011Newer by 43 months
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Nikon L31

 W550 L31 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Nikon L31 and Sony W550

 L31 W550 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Nikon L31 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L31 has exterior measurements of 96mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony W550 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Compare the Nikon L31 vs Sony W550 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the L31 vs the W550.

Nikon L31 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L31 and W550 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Nikon L31 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L31 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by viewing specs. The image here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the L31 and W550.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Nikon L31 to provide you with greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more recent L31 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon L31 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Nikon L31 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L31 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L31
Portrait photography with Sony W550
35
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
28
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L31 Street photography features
Sony W550 Street photography features
55
image stabilization (Digital)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (160g)
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L31 Sports photography features
Sony W550 Sports photography features
40
image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (16MP)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L31 Travel photography highlights
Sony W550 Travel photography highlights
68
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
really wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (160 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
65
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L31 Landscape photography details
Sony W550 Landscape photography details
39
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
42
pretty wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L31 Vlogging advice
Sony W550 Vlogging advice
65
really wide (26mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Digital)
features face detection focusing
slow max aperture (f3.2)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone support
more heavy than competitors in class (160 grams)
29
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
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Nikon L31 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L31 and Sony W550
 Nikon Coolpix L31Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix L31 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Revealed 2015-01-14 2011-07-24
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range 10cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.60 m 3.80 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 lb) 110 gr (0.24 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 59 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 200 pictures -
Style of battery AA -
Battery model 2 x AA NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 -
Launch pricing $0 $119