Nikon Coolpix
L20
 vs
Nikon
D3100

Updated (April, 2012): Compare the Nikon Coolpix L20 vs Nikon D3200

Nikon D3100

65
Winner

Nikon D3100
"It's almost impossible to pick up without your hand falling into a sensible position with the key controls at your fingertips."
dpreview.com | talking about the D3100's button-layout
"Thanks to its lineage the D3100 remains one of the most pleasant to hold cameras in its class."
dpreview.com | talking about the D3100's feel

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3100

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 24fps
Supports 24p
 24p movies
For that film look
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Badge
 Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection
Live view
 Has live view
Preview your photos
Nikon Coolpix L20

33
Runner-up

Nikon Coolpix L20

Reasons to buy the Nikon Coolpix L20

Size
 Really small
Compact 61x97x29 mm
Thickness
 Thin
1.1"
Weight
 Light-weight
135 g

differences

Advantages of the Nikon L20
Size Significantly smaller 61x97x29 mm vs 124x96x73 mm
Help
 5.2x smaller
Weight Significantly lighter 135 g vs 505 g
Help
 3.7x lighter
Thickness Significantly thinner 1.1" vs 2.9"
Help
 2.5x thinner
Nikon Coolpix L20 Learn more about
the Nikon L20

Advantages of the Nikon D3100
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 24fps vs 480p @ 30fps
Help
 Shoots high resolution Full HD (1080p) video but at a lower frame rate
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
 Catch candid moments easily
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
 Get that real film feel
Sensor size Much larger sensor APS-C 23.1x15.4mm vs 1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm
Help
 More than 12.5x larger sensor
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 14.2 MP vs 9.8 MP
Help
 Capture around 50% more detail in your photos
Interchangeable lenses Has interchangeable lenses Yes vs No
Help
 Can take advantage of a variety of lenses
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Yes vs No
Help
 Digitally develop your own photos with precise image control
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Pentamirror vs None
Help
 A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor CMOS vs CCD
Help
 CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
External flash Supports an external flash Yes vs No
Help
 An external flash often produces better looking flash images
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 3,200 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
 The D3100's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs None
Help
 Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image
Nikon D3100 Learn more about
the Nikon D3100
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon Coolpix L20 Nikon Coolpix L20
33 vs 65
Explain scores
Nikon D3100 Nikon D3100
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D3100. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a compact with a entry-level DSLR.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the L20 or the D3100,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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1
votes
by Lance-Villanueva-Ramos last month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

Beginner,capturing the moment of different events

2 people recommend the Nikon D3100:

" D3100 is going to have better video capabilities which you outlined as a need, image quality wil..."

"The D3100 is better for beginners because it has a great guide that will help you set up the camer..."
1
votes
by Kate-Hughes 4 days ago
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

I am a beginner is DSLR photography & have been researching entry level models. I kep coming bac...

One person recommends the Nikon D3100:

" Hi Kate, Since you are a beginner in DSLR photography and it seems you have a budget, I would..."
0
votes
by Larisa-Dragan this month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

beginner/want to start a studio for newborn/children pictures/i think shooting in low light is i...
0
votes
by Cathy-Bodie last month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

Not beginner, but not novice, want also to use for family gatherings and holidays, night shots, sc...
0
votes
by Terence-Robertson this month
Fujifilm HS20 vs Nikon D3100

i am a beginer with £400 budget just want best alrounder for my money

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

Snapsort is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
230k dots

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant shared competitors found.

Nikon Coolpix L20 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Coolpix L22

Nikon Coolpix L22

Compact
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Wide angle Better wide angle
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the Coolpix L22 vs the Coolpix L20
Sony Cybershot DSC-W510

Sony Cybershot W510

Compact

$108 - $198
Wide angle Much better wide angle
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Compare the Cybershot W510 vs the Coolpix L20
Nikon Coolpix P500

Nikon Coolpix P500

Super zoom

$300
Zoom Much more zoom
Wide angle Much better wide angle
Size Much larger
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the Coolpix P500 vs the Coolpix L20
Canon ELPH 100 HS

Canon ELPH 100 HS

Compact

$106 - $189
Wide angle Much better wide angle
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Compare the ELPH 100 HS vs the Coolpix L20
Olympus Stylus 550WP

Olympus Stylus 550WP

Waterproof
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Waterproof Waterproof
Screen size Much smaller screen
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the Stylus 550WP vs the Coolpix L20

Nikon D3100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Size Slightly larger
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the D5100 vs the D3100
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$333 body only

$489 - $500 with 18-55mm lens
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Battery life Longer battery life
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D3100
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus
Battery life Shorter battery life
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D3100
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Thickness Slightly thicker
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Compare the D3200 vs the D3100
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus
Startup delay More startup delay
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D3100

appearance

Nikon Coolpix L20 Nikon D3100
Nikon Coolpix L20 Nikon D3100
Nikon Coolpix L20 Nikon D3100

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