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Nikon L31 vs Nikon P100 Comparison

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Nikon L31

16 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CMOS Sensor

Nikon L31
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Nikon P100

10 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

Nikon P100
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Nikon L31 vs Nikon P100 Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two Nikon cameras cameras with different body types: Nikon L31, which was introduced in January 2015 is a Ultracompact camera with a 16.0MP 1/2.3' sensor whereas Nikon P100, which was introduced in July 2010 is a Small Sensor Superzoom camera with a 10.0MP 1/2.3-inch sensor. As you can see, P100 is 5 years older than L31. Let's see if this age difference between two cameras makes a big difference.

Here is a brief look at the main features of the Nikon L31 and Nikon P100 before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Nikon L31 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2015-01-14
  • 16MP - 1/2.3' CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 26-130 mm F3.2-6.5 Zoom Lens
  • 2.70" Fixed Type Screen
  • fps continuous shooting
  • HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution
  • 160g. 96 x 59 x 29 mm

Nikon P100 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2010-07-06
  • 10MP - 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 26-678 mm F2.8-5.0 Zoom Lens
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3.00" Tilting Screen
  • Electronic viewfinder
  • 10.0fps continuous shooting
  • Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution
  • 481g. 114 x 83 x 99 mm

Let's read on in the following sections in order to better understand in detail how the Nikon L31 and Nikon P100 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.


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Reasons to choose Nikon Coolpix L31 over Nikon Coolpix P100
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs No very handy for portraits
Sensor Resolution
16 MP vs 10 MP 60% more pixels
Weight
160 g vs 481 g 321 g lighter
CHECK L31 PRICE


Reasons to choose Nikon Coolpix P100 over Nikon Coolpix L31
In-built Image Stabilization
Sensor-shift vs None Sharper images at longer focal lengths and slow shutter speeds
LCD Screen
Tilting vs Fixed Type Flexible shooting positions
Viewfinder
Electronic vs None Better framing and control
Max ISO
3.200 vs 1.600 100% higher Max ISO
LCD Screen Size
3" vs 2.7" 0.3 inches larger display
LCD Resolution
460k dots vs 230k dots 100% higher resolution screen
Focal Length - Tele
678mm vs 130mm 548 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom
26.1× vs 5× more flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide
2.80 vs 3.20 faster lens at wide
Max Aperture - Tele
5.00 vs 6.50 faster lens at tele
Sensor Pixel Area
2.81µm2 vs 1.76µm2 59% larger pixel area
Max Video Resolution
1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720 Higher Resolution Video
AE Bracketing
Yes vs No Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR
CHECK P100 PRICE

Common Strengths of Nikon Coolpix L31 and Nikon Coolpix P100
Built-in Flash
Yes vs Yes Useful in low-light
Max Continuous Shooting
fps vs 10.0fps Fast shooting speeds
Common Weaknesses of Nikon Coolpix L31 and Nikon Coolpix P100
External Flash Shoe
No vs No Not suitable for flash photography
RAW Support
No vs No Lower image quality
LCD Screen Resolution
230k dots vs 460k dots Low resolution screens
New4
Nikon L31 vs Nikon P100: Physical Specs and Body Features Comparison

Size and weight are big decision factors when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, we are going to illustrate the Nikon L31 and Nikon P100 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Nikon L31 has external dimensions of 96 x 59 x 29 mm (3.78 x 2.32 x 1.14″) and weighs 160 g (0.35 lb / 5.64 oz) (including batteries). Nikon P100 has external dimensions of 114 x 83 x 99 mm (4.49 x 3.27 x 3.9″) and weighs 481 g (1.06 lb / 16.97 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front-view size comparison of the Nikon L31 and the Nikon P100. Nikon L31 is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 18mm narrower, 24mm shorter and 70mm thinner than Nikon P100.

Nikon L31 vs Nikon P100 Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of the Nikon L31 and the Nikon P100 Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of the Nikon L31 and Nikon P100.

Nikon L31 vs Nikon P100 Camera Size Comparison - Back View
Comparison image of the Nikon L31 and the Nikon P100 Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Nikon L31 and Nikon P100.
Nikon L31 vs Nikon P100 Camera Size Comparison - Top View
Top View Comparison image of the Nikon L31 and the the Nikon P100 Size

Weight is another important factor, especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Nikon L31 is significantly lighter (321g ) than the Nikon P100 which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Weight Comparison

Bridge Cameras

L31
P100
Min
Average
Max
Thickness Comparison

Bridge Cameras

L31
P100
Min
Average
Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither the Nikon Coolpix L31 nor Nikon Coolpix P100 provides any type of weather sealing in their bodies, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections:
Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing
Top Bridge Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Nikon P100's 3.00" LCD screen is slightly larger than Nikon L31's 2.7" screen.

In addition to the size advantage, Nikon P100 LCD screen also has a Tilting feature where you can change the angle of the screen to make it easier to shoot from waist or over-the-head levels. On the other hand, Nikon L31 has a fixed type screen which provides less flexibility in shooting positions compared to P100.


Nikon L31 vs Nikon P100: Sensor Comparison

Nikon L31 has a 16.0MP 1/2.3' (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CMOS sensor . On the other hand, Nikon P100 has a 10.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Expeed C2 processor.

Nikon L31's sensor provides 6MP more than Nikon P100's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely. On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.

Below you can see the L31 and P100 sensor size comparison.

Nikon L31 vs Nikon P100 Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon L31 and Nikon P100 Cameras


Nikon L31 and Nikon P100 have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Nikon P100 has 59% larger pixel area (2.81µm2 vs 1.76µm2) compared to Nikon L31, it has larger pixel area to collect light hence potential to have less noise in low light / High ISO images.

Nikon L31 vs Nikon P100 Lens Specs Comparison

Nikon L31 features a 26-130 mm F3.2-6.5 5× zoom lens whereas Nikon P100 features a 26-678 mm F2.8-5.0 26.1× zoom lens.

Both cameras have a wide angle coverage of 26mm. On the other hand, with a max aperture of f2.80, Nikon P100 is faster than Nikon L31 at this focal length. On the tele end, Nikon P100 has 548mm longer reach than the Nikon L31. At f5.00, it is also faster at tele end.

Wide Coverage

Compact Cameras

L31
P100
Widest - Olympus TG-850 iHS
Average
Telezoom

DSLR-Like Cameras

L31
P100
Longest - Canon SX520 HS
Average
Max Aperture at Tele

DSLR-Like Cameras

L31
P100
Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV
Average
Max Aperture at Wide

DSLR-Like Cameras

L31
P100
Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6
Average
What types of Photography are Nikon L31 and Nikon P100 Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Nikon L31 and Nikon P100 for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Nikon L31 for Portrait Photography

POOR

Nikon P100 for Portrait Photography

AVERAGE
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No Image Stabilization
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
Very Low Resolution Sensor: 10.0MP
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Street Photography

POOR

Nikon P100 for Street Photography

GOOD
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
26 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No Image Stabilization
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Live-view
Tilting LCD Screen
Fast Lens at Wide: f2.80
26 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Medium sized Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Sports Photography

POOR

Nikon P100 for Sports Photography

AVERAGE
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
130 mm Tele Lens
No Image Stabilization
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
Focus Points
Poor Battery Life: 200 shots
Slow Lens at Tele: f6.50
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Fast Continuous Shooting: 10.0fps
678 mm Tele Lens
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
Environmental Sealings
Focus Points
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Daily Photography

POOR

Nikon P100 for Daily Photography

AVERAGE
Compact Body
160g
5.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details
26.1X Optical Zoom
Medium size Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
481g
Body Thickness 99mm
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Nikon P100 for Landscape Photography

POOR
26 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
26 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
Very Low Resolution Sensor: 10.0MP
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Nikon L31 vs Nikon P100: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far, but in case you wonder how we rated Nikon L31 and Nikon P100, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 69 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Nikon L31 and Nikon P100 scores compare:

Nikon L31
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #105 out of 155 in Ultracompact cameras
Ranked #1132 out of 1259 in all Cameras
Nikon P100
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #72 out of 113 in SLR-like (bridge) cameras
Ranked #667 out of 1259 in all Cameras

Nikon P100 has a higher Overall Score than the Nikon L31 and would be our choice if we have to decide between these two cameras.

Nikon L31
Nikon L31
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Nikon P100
Nikon P100
CHECK PRICE

CHECK PRICE

Nikon P100 vs Nikon L31 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Nikon Coolpix L31 Nikon Coolpix P100
Brand Nikon Nikon
Announced 2015-01-14 2010-07-06
Body Type Ultracompact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor
Type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Size 1/2.3' 1/2.3-inch
Dimensions 6.17 x 4.55 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
Area 28.07mm2 28.07mm2
Megapixels 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Max Resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Max Native Light sensitivity 1,600 ISO 3,200 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity 80 ISO 80 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points n/a n/a
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens Focal Range 26-130 mm (5×) 26-678 mm (26.1×)
Max Aperture F3.2-6.5 F2.8-5.0
Macro Focus Range 10cm 1cm
Screen
Type Fixed type Tilting
Size 2.70" 3.00"
Resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder None Electronic
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/2000s 1/2000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Built-in Image Stabilization Digital only Sensor-shift
Built-in Flash
Flash Range 3.60 m n/a
External Flash
Continuous Shooting n/a 10.0 fps
Multi-Segment Metering
Average Metering
Spot Metering
Partial Metering
AF-Area Metering
Center Weighted Metering
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080
Video Formats Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity None None
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 160g 481g
Dimensions 96 x 59 x 29mm 114 x 83 x 99mm
Battery Life 200 shots n/a
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS None None
DxO Sensor Scores
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