• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon L18 advantages over Nikon S5300

  • Less expensive
    $140 vs $180 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.76 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.7
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 180 shots
    Capture more photos

Nikon S5300 advantages over Nikon L18

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    200 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    20 mm vs 29 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    10 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 8.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon L18

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S5300
Nikon S5300

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung S860

Nikon L18
Samsung S860
  • $140
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch

Compare Nikon L18 vs Samsung S860

Nikon S5300
Samsung S860
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon S5300 vs Samsung S860

Compared to Samsung S760

Nikon L18
Samsung S760
  • $140
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch

Compare Nikon L18 vs Samsung S760

Nikon S5300
Samsung S760
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon S5300 vs Samsung S760

Compared to Panasonic DMC-LS80

Nikon L18
Panasonic DMC-LS80
  • $140
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • $113
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Nikon L18 vs Panasonic DMC-LS80

Nikon S5300
Panasonic DMC-LS80
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $113
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S5300 vs Panasonic DMC-LS80

Compared to Nikon S5200

Nikon L18
Nikon S5200
  • $140
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon L18 vs Nikon S5200

Nikon S5300
Nikon S5200
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster shutter

Compare Nikon S5300 vs Nikon S5200

Compared to Canon 340 HS

Nikon L18
Canon 340 HS
  • $140
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon L18 vs Canon 340 HS

Nikon S5300
Canon 340 HS
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon S5300 vs Canon 340 HS

Compare Other Cameras?