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Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100 Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Revealed August 2009
Nikon AW100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 178g - 110 x 65 x 23mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • New Model is Nikon AW110
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Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by brands Canon and Nikon. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the SX120 IS (10MP) and AW100 (16MP) and the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and AW100 (1/2.3") posses different sensor measurements.

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The SX120 IS was released 24 months earlier than the AW100 making them a generation away from one another. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SX120 IS matches up vs the AW100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Nikon AW100

 SX120 IS AW100 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Canon SX120 IS

 AW100 SX120 IS 
IntroducedAugust 2011August 2009Newer by 24 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon AW100

 SX120 IS AW100 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SX120 IS has outside measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") along with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) and the Nikon AW100 has specifications of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the SX120 IS and the AW100.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and AW100 is 87 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions merely by researching a spec sheet. The picture below may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX120 IS and AW100.

Clearly, both of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SX120 IS featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Nikon AW100 will render more detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged SX120 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX120 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon AW100
33
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/500s)
external flash not possible
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
has no RAW files
30
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Street photography details
Nikon AW100 Street photography details
51
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
has no RAW files
heavier than average (285 grams)
55
weather proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Sports photography highlights
Nikon AW100 Sports photography highlights
26
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 fps)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
has no phase detect auto focus
33
MP count decent (16MP)
weather proofing
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX120 IS
Travel photography with Nikon AW100
51
flash built-in
very long zoom (360mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (285 grams)
resolution not great (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
weather proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography details
Nikon AW100 Landscape photography details
36
focusing manually
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
41
really wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count decent (16MP)
weather proofing
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging advice
Nikon AW100 Vlogging advice
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than average (285 grams)
29
really wide (28mm)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic port
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Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Nikon AW100
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISNikon Coolpix AW100
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Nikon Coolpix AW100
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Revealed 2009-08-19 2011-08-24
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 -
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-360mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/3.9-4.8
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 6.3 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 285 grams (0.63 pounds) 178 grams (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID 2 x AA EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD / SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $249 $299