Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100
87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31


93 Imaging
39 Features
28 Overall
34
Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS & Nikon Coolpix AW100. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX120 IS Gallery & Nikon AW100 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2011 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 24 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon AW100
SX120 IS | AW100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon AW100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Nikon 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 |