Nikon L820
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
- 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
- Introduced January 2013
- Old Model is Nikon L810
- Successor is Nikon L830
- Read full specs
- Alternatives
- Size Comparison
- FAQ
72 Imaging
40 Features
28 Overall
35
Nikon L820 summary
Nikon L820 is Nikon's Small Sensor Superzoom digital camera originally announced on January of 2013. It houses a 16 MegaPixel, BSI-CMOS 1/2.3" size sensor with a full resolution of 4608 x 3456.
Nikon launched this model as a way to replace the older Nikon L810 (Read Full Comparison) and subsequently released the updated Nikon L830 (Read Full Comparison) as a way to update this model.
The L820 is positioned #204 out of 244 in Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and over-all #901 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our list. Please try out our Smart camera filter to find camera listings based on your custom factors.
Here is a graph of different factors used in the rating system.
Nikon L820 history
The Nikon L820 comes with a history of related digital cameras. Here, you can discover all earlier and most recent models along with important specifications.
F3.0-5.816MP1/2.3"2013
Nikon L820 Gallery
You can view the L820 from different angles in the gallery below.
Nikon L820 Pros and Cons
Here is a shortlist of positives and negatives of the Nikon L820 based on criterias which are typically regarded as useful in a digital camera.
Nikon L820 Sensor specs
The dimension of the sensor on the Nikon L820 is 6.16mm x 4.62mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor is able to capture 4608 x 3456 pixels .
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe BSI-CMOS sensor boasts 16MP and delivers a standard ISO range of 125 to 3200. Sadly, RAW format is not saved therefore you have less room to maneuver in post.
The picture underneath shows the L820's sensor size compared to other popular sizes. The L820 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is displayed in green.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesTo get a sense of different aspect ratios, you should refer to the graphic below.
Nikon L820 dimensions
Nikon L820 weighs in at 1.04 pounds (470g or 16.58 ounces) and the overall size of the camera is 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3"). The weight of average Small Sensor Superzoom camera is 387g and the Nikon L820 is weightier than other competitors.
Photography GlossaryHere is a shot of the Nikon L820 alongside a soft drink so you can have a feel for its size.
The top view underneath will show you the button arrangement on the L820.
Nikon L820 Lens details
The L820 features a built-in lens with a focal range of 23-675mm giving it a 29.3 x zoom which is very good and could make it easier to zoom all the way in.
At it's widest 23mm, it provides an aperture of f3.0 making it somewhat sluggish and not the best in low light events and you will likely find it difficult to capture good bokeh. You would also need to up your ISO producing noisy shots. For the long end, 675mm is superb zoom and comes at f5.8 making it pretty sluggish and you will have to use slower shutter speeds.
Nikon L820 Connectivity
The L820 has the following connectivity:
- USB Yes
Digital cameras with NFC or Bluetooth support can easily be used wirelessly with smartphones. You can easily send images and in some cases alter camera settings without connecting directly with the camera.
Several apps also enable a Liveview and release the shutter when you are not close to the camera. If the camera provides a HDMI out, it could be attached to an external screen. A good number of cameras enable you to charge the battery pack through the USB port.
Nikon L820 Video details
The highest possible video resolution on the Nikon L820 is 1920 x 1080 and it can save in file format. 1080p resolution delivers a great balance for video quality versus file size but 1080p won't leave you with much room to downsample. The body does not offer a mic or headphone socket which means that you have zero control over your audio. It is probably a better idea to look into another model in case you want good audio in your videos.
Nikon L820 Weather Sealing
Nikon L820 does not have environment proofing so rainy conditions could damage the camera.
Nikon L820 Screen and Viewfinder
The Nikon L820 is equipped with a 3" fixed display with a resolution of 921k dots.
Please be aware that the display screen offers no touch support.
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe View Finder specifications regarding Nikon L820 are the following:
- ViewFinder None
Viewfinders can be quite beneficial for sunny outdoor situations which can easily make the camera screen washed out and difficult to view.
Nikon L820 Shutter details
Nikon L820 continuous shooting rate is 8.0 frames/s. The highest shutter speed is 1/4000 sec.
Nikon L820 Flash and Hot shoe details
Nikon L820 has got just integrated flash lacking external flash support.
Nikon L820 Autofocus details
Nikon L820 has not got Auto focus. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot quicker and accurate than Contrast Detect autofocusing.
Nikon L820 has not got manual focus. Manual focus mode can be good for low light conditions or you want more exact focus control.
Nikon L820 Battery life
The battery life (4 x AA) in the Nikon L820 is fashioned to last for 320 photos according to the CIPA specifications which is on par with its competition. The average Small Sensor Superzoom camera battery life is 316. Fujifilm HS35EXR has got the best (600) battery life for this kind of cameras.
Underneath is a collection of Small Sensor Superzoom cameras with the highest battery life:
Nikon L820 for different kinds of photography
The following illustration presents a summary of the Nikon L820 for different kinds of photography. To see more, check out the specific section underneath.
Nikon L820 as a Portrait photography camera
The Nikon L820 has a points tally of 30 which is really bad, and means the camera is not good to use for portrait photos. Shooting portrait photos leans greatly towards sensor size, RAW support together with the flexibility to utilize external lighting.
Street photography with Nikon L820
Coming in at a really bad points total of 38, the Nikon L820 is not good for street photography. A decent street photography camera features a perfect balance of image quality and portability.
Nikon L820 Sports photography features
A really bad sports photography rating of 36 suggests the Nikon L820 is not good for taking photos of sports. A camera needs good focusing plus shutter speeds for sports photography.
Nikon L820 Travel photography information
Weight is pretty important in selecting a camera for travel. Overall, the Nikon L820 gets a decent 56 for a travelling camera which makes it relatively adequate to take on your travels.
Nikon L820 Landscape photography details
When you are planning to pick a digital camera for landscape photography, the biggest factor will be image quality. The Nikon L820 at it's really bad grade of 36 as a landscape camera is not good within the current marketplace.
Nikon L820 as a Vlogging camera
A vlogging camera preferably should offer a moving display screen, microphone input and preferably IBIS. Taking everything in to account, the Nikon L820 is not good as a vlog camera as it gets a really bad rating of 24.
Nikon L820 Alternatives
If you are trying to find replacements to the L820, below is a list of the highest scored cameras which fall in to the class of Small Sensor Superzoom.
The line chart followed below gives you a summary of the L820 vs it's top ranking rivals mentioned previously.
These are various other cameras you might check out as alternate options. To look at a complete comparison, simply click the "compare" link.