Nikon L31 vs Sony QX100 Comparison

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Nikon L31

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

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Sony QX100

20 MP | 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

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Nikon L31 vs Sony QX100 Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing L31 and QX100, two Compact cameras from Nikon and Sony. Nikon Coolpix L31 is a Ultracompact class camera and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 is a Lens-style class camera.

Nikon L31 was introduced to the market in January 2015 and Sony QX100 was launched in September 2013. There is 16 months difference between L31 and QX100 so we don't expect to see a huge technology difference between these two cameras but it would still give an advantage to younger L31, especially in sensor tech.

Here is a brief look at the main features of the Nikon L31 and Sony QX100 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

Sony QX100 Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2013-09-05

20MP - 1-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor

ISO 160 - 6400

28-100 mm F1.8-4.9 Zoom Lens

Optical Image Stabilization

" Fixed Type Screen

fps continuous shooting

Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution

Built-in Wireless

179g. 63 x 63 x 56 mm

Let's read on in the following sections in order to better understand in detail how the Nikon L31 and Sony QX100 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 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100

Built-in Flash	Yes vs No	Useful in low-light
Internal Storage	17MB vs None	Extra built-in storage
LCD Screen Size	2.7" vs	2.7 inches larger display
Weight	160 g vs 179 g	19 g lighter
Focal Length - Wide	26mm vs 28mm	2 mm wider coverage
Focal Length - Tele	130mm vs 100mm	30 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom	5× vs 3.6x	more flexible focal coverage
Selfie & Vlogger LCD	Yes vs No	Rotate LCD for taking Selfies

CHECK L31 PRICE

Reasons to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 over Nikon Coolpix L31

Wireless Connection	Built-In vs None	Better connectivity
In-built Image Stabilization	Optical vs None	Sharper images at longer focal lengths and slow shutter speeds
Touch Screen	Yes vs No	Easy control of camera functions
Sensor Resolution	20 MP vs 16 MP	25% more pixels
Max ISO	6.400 vs 1.600	300% higher Max ISO
Max Aperture - Wide	1.80 vs 3.20	faster lens at wide
Max Aperture - Tele	4.90 vs 6.50	faster lens at tele
Sensor Pixel Area	5.82µm2 vs 1.76µm2	230% larger pixel area
Max Video Resolution	1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720	Higher Resolution Video
NFC Connection	Yes vs No	Easy wireless connectivity with compatible devices
Smartphone Remote	Yes vs No	Remote control your camera with a smartphone

CHECK QX100 PRICE

Common Strengths of Nikon Coolpix L31 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100

Face Detection Focus	Yes vs Yes	very handy for portraits

Common Weaknesses of Nikon Coolpix L31 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100

Fixed Screen	Fixed Type vs No	Screen tilts or Flips out independently, perfect for both stills and video
External Flash Shoe	No vs No	Not suitable for flash photography
Viewfinder	None vs None	No eye-level shooting option
RAW Support	No vs No	Lower image quality
LCD Screen Size	" vs "	Small display
Environmental Sealing	No vs No	not suitable for tough conditions

Nikon L31 vs Sony QX100: 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 Sony QX100 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). Sony QX100 has external dimensions of 63 x 63 x 56 mm (2.46 x 2.46 x 2.19″) and weighs 179 g (0.39 lb / 6.31 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front-view size comparison of the Nikon L31 and the Sony QX100. Nikon L31 is 4mm shorter and 27mm thinner than Sony QX100 but it is also 33mm wider.

Comparison image of the Nikon L31 and the Sony QX100 Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Nikon L31 and Sony QX100.

Top View Comparison image of the Nikon L31 and the the Sony QX100 Size

Weight is another important factor, especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Nikon L31 is 19g lighter than the Sony QX100 but we don't think this will make a significant difference.

Weight Comparison

Compact Cameras

L31

QX100

Min

Average

Max

Thickness Comparison

Compact Cameras

L31

QX100

Min

Average

Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither the Nikon Coolpix L31 nor Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 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

LCD Screen Size and Features

Nikon L31's 2.70" LCD screen is slightly larger than Sony QX100's screen.

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.

Nikon L31 vs Sony QX100: Sensor Comparison

Nikon L31 has a 16.0MP 1/2.3' (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CMOS sensor . On the other hand, Sony QX100 has a 20.0MP 1-inch (13.2 x 8.8 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor .

Below you can see the L31 and QX100 sensor size comparison.

Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon L31 and Sony QX100 Cameras

As seen above, Sony QX100 has a 4.1x Larger sensor area than Nikon L31. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.

Nikon L31 vs Sony QX100 Lens Specs Comparison

Nikon L31 features a 26-130 mm F3.2-6.5 5× zoom lens whereas Sony QX100 features a 28-100 mm F1.8-4.9 3.6x zoom lens.

Nikon L31 has 2mm wider coverage than the Sony QX100. On the other hand, with a max aperture of f1.80, Sony QX100 is faster at widest end. On the tele end, Nikon L31 has 30mm longer reach than the Sony QX100. However, with a max aperture of f4.90, Sony QX100 is faster at tele end.

Wide Coverage

Compact Cameras

L31

QX100

Widest - Olympus TG-850 iHS

Average

Telezoom

Lens-style Cameras

L31

QX100

Longest - Canon SX520 HS

Average

Max Aperture at Tele

Lens-style Cameras

L31

QX100

Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV

Average

Max Aperture at Wide

Lens-style Cameras

L31

QX100

Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6

Average

Nikon L31 vs Sony QX100: 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 Sony QX100, 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 Sony QX100 scores compare:

Nikon L31

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #105 out of 155 in Ultracompact cameras
Ranked #1132 out of 1260 in all Cameras

Sony QX100
This camera is not rated yet!

Sony QX100 vs Nikon L31 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Nikon Coolpix L31	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100
Brand	Nikon	Sony
Announced	2015-01-14	2013-09-05
Body Type	Ultracompact	Lens-style
Sensor
Type	CMOS	BSI-CMOS
Size	1/2.3'	1-inch
Dimensions	6.17 x 4.55 mm	13.2 x 8.8 mm
Area	28.07mm²	116.16mm²
Megapixels	16 megapixels	20 megapixels
Max Resolution	4608 x 3456	5472 x 3648
Max Native Light sensitivity	1,600 ISO	6,400 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity	80 ISO	160 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×)	28-100 mm (3.6x)
Max Aperture	F3.2-6.5	F1.8-4.9
Macro Focus Range	10cm	5cm
Screen
Type	Fixed type	Fixed type
Size	2.70"	"
Resolution	230k dots	0k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	None	None
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	Optical
Built-in Flash
Flash Range	3.60 m	no built-in flash
External Flash
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	MPEG-4
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity	None	Built-In
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight	160g	179g
Dimensions	96 x 59 x 29mm	63 x 63 x 56mm
Battery Life	200 shots	200 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS	None	None
DxO Sensor Scores
	Report a correction	Report a correction