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Nikon L31 vs Sony TX7 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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Sony TX7

10 MP | 1/2.4" (6.104 x 4.578 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

Sony TX7
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Nikon L31 vs Sony TX7 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the L31 and the TX7, two Ultracompact cameras from Nikon and Sony. Nikon L31 was introduced to the market in January 2015 and Sony TX7 was launched in January 2010. As you can see, TX7 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 Sony TX7 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 TX7 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2010-01-07
  • 10MP - 1/2.4-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 25-100 mm F3.5-4.6 Zoom Lens
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3.50" Fixed Type Screen
  • 10.0fps continuous shooting
  • Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution
  • 149g. 98 x 60 x 18 mm

Let's read on in the following sections in order to better understand in detail how the Nikon L31 and Sony TX7 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-TX7
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs No very handy for portraits
Sensor Resolution
16 MP vs 10 MP 60% more pixels
Max Mech. Shutter
1/2000s vs 1/1600s faster mechanical shutter
Focal Length - Tele
130mm vs 100mm 30 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom
5× vs 4× more flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide
3.20 vs 3.50 faster lens at wide
Selfie & Vlogger LCD
Yes vs No Rotate LCD for taking Selfies
CHECK L31 PRICE


Reasons to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX7 over Nikon Coolpix L31
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
Max ISO
3.200 vs 1.600 100% higher Max ISO
LCD Screen Size
3.5" vs 2.7" 0.8 inches larger display
LCD Resolution
921k dots vs 230k dots 300% higher resolution screen
Weight
149 g vs 160 g 11 g lighter
Focal Length - Wide
25mm vs 26mm 1 mm wider coverage
Max Aperture - Tele
4.60 vs 6.50 faster lens at tele
Sensor Pixel Area
3.12µm2 vs 1.76µm2 77% larger pixel area
Max Video Resolution
1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720 Higher Resolution Video
CHECK TX7 PRICE

Common Strengths of Nikon Coolpix L31 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX7
Built-in Flash
Yes vs Yes Useful in low-light
LCD Screen Size
3.50" vs 3.50" Large display
Max Continuous Shooting
fps vs 10.0fps Fast shooting speeds
Common Weaknesses of Nikon Coolpix L31 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX7
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
Manual Focusing
No vs No No manual focusing modes
Environmental Sealing
No vs No not suitable for tough conditions
Nikon L31 vs Sony TX7: 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 TX7 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 TX7 has external dimensions of 98 x 60 x 18 mm (3.86 x 2.36 x 0.71″) and weighs 149 g (0.33 lb / 5.26 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front-view size comparison of the Nikon L31 and the Sony TX7. Nikon L31 is 2mm narrower and 1mm shorter than Sony TX7 but it is also 11mm thicker.

Nikon L31 vs Sony TX7 Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of the Nikon L31 and the Sony TX7 Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of the Nikon L31 and Sony TX7.

Nikon L31 vs Sony TX7 Camera Size Comparison - Back View
Comparison image of the Nikon L31 and the Sony TX7 Size and Weight - Back View

Weight is another important factor, especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Sony TX7 is 11g lighter than the Nikon L31 but we don't think this will make a significant difference.

Weight Comparison

Compact Cameras

L31
TX7
Min
Average
Max
Thickness Comparison

Compact Cameras

L31
TX7
Min
Average
Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither the Nikon Coolpix L31 nor Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX7 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

Sony TX7's 3.50" LCD screen is slightly larger than Nikon L31's 2.7" screen.

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


Nikon L31 vs Sony TX7: 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 TX7 has a 10.0MP 1/2.4-inch (6.104 x 4.578 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Bionz processor.

Nikon L31's sensor provides 6MP more than Sony TX7'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 TX7 sensor size comparison.

Nikon L31 vs Sony TX7 Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon L31 and Sony TX7 Cameras


Nikon L31 and Sony TX7 have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.

Nikon L31 vs Sony TX7 Lens Specs Comparison

Nikon L31 features a 26-130 mm F3.2-6.5 5× zoom lens whereas Sony TX7 features a 25-100 mm F3.5-4.6 4× zoom lens.

Sony TX7 has 1mm wider coverage than the Nikon L31. On the other hand, with a max aperture of f3.20, Nikon L31 is faster at widest end. On the tele end, Nikon L31 has 30mm longer reach than the Sony TX7. However, with a max aperture of f4.60, Sony TX7 is faster at tele end.

Wide Coverage

Compact Cameras

L31
TX7
Widest - Olympus TG-850 iHS
Average
Telezoom

Compact Cameras

L31
TX7
Longest - Canon SX520 HS
Average
Max Aperture at Tele

Compact Cameras

L31
TX7
Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV
Average
Max Aperture at Wide

Compact Cameras

L31
TX7
Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6
Average
What types of Photography are Nikon L31 and Sony TX7 Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Nikon L31 and Sony TX7 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

Sony TX7 for Portrait Photography

POOR
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
Small 1/2.4" (6.104 x 4.578 mm) sensor
Very Low Resolution Sensor: 10.0MP
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

Nikon L31 for Street Photography

POOR

Sony TX7 for Street Photography

AVERAGE
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
Small Body
Live-view
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.4" (6.104 x 4.578 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Sports Photography

POOR

Sony TX7 for Sports Photography

POOR
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
Fast Continuous Shooting: 10.0fps
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
Slow Max shutter speed: 1/1600s
9 Focus Points
100 mm Tele Lens
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Daily Photography

POOR

Sony TX7 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
Compact Body
149g
Body Thickness 18mm
4.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.4" (6.104 x 4.578 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Sony TX7 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
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.4" (6.104 x 4.578 mm) sensor
Very Low Resolution Sensor: 10.0MP
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Nikon L31 vs Sony TX7: 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 TX7, 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 TX7 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
Sony TX7
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #43 out of 155 in Ultracompact cameras
Ranked #934 out of 1259 in all Cameras

Sony TX7 has a higher Overall Score than the Nikon L31. It also has more features, more compact body and offers higher value for the money. But there is one area that TX7 trails behind the L31: Imaging
If image quality is the most important aspect in a camera, choose the Nikon L31. If not, we recommend the Sony TX7.

Nikon L31
Nikon L31
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Sony TX7
Sony TX7
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Sony TX7 vs Nikon L31 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Nikon Coolpix L31 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX7
Brand Nikon Sony
Announced 2015-01-14 2010-01-07
Body Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor
Type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Size 1/2.3' 1/2.4-inch
Dimensions 6.17 x 4.55 mm 6.104 x 4.578 mm
Area 28.07mm2 27.94mm2
Megapixels 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Max Resolution 4608 x 3456 3456 x 2592
Max Native Light sensitivity 1,600 ISO 3,200 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity 80 ISO 125 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 9
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens Focal Range 26-130 mm (5×) 25-100 mm (4×)
Max Aperture F3.2-6.5 F3.5-4.6
Macro Focus Range 10cm 1cm
Screen
Type Fixed type Fixed type
Size 2.70" 3.50"
Resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder None None
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/2000s 1/1600s
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 3.80 m
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 AVCHD
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity None None
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 160g 149g
Dimensions 96 x 59 x 29mm 98 x 60 x 18mm
Battery Life 200 shots n/a
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS None None
DxO Sensor Scores
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