Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120
86 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


92 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42
Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 291g - 111 x 73 x 44mm
- Released June 2013
- Succeeded the Canon SX150 IS
- Successor is Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-120mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
- 213g - 110 x 66 x 26mm
- Revealed February 2014
- Replaced the Nikon AW110
- New Model is Nikon AW130

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 Overview
On this page, we are reviewing the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon AW120, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by rivals Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the AW120 (16MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SX160 IS was released 7 months earlier than the AW120 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SX160 IS grades vs the AW120 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX160 IS and Nikon Coolpix AW120. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX160 IS Gallery and Nikon AW120 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Nikon AW120
SX160 IS | AW120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing |
Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Canon SX160 IS
AW120 | SX160 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2014 | ![]() | June 2013 | Newer by 7 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon AW120
SX160 IS | AW120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX160 IS comes with physical measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") and a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) and the Nikon AW120 has proportions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") and a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs).
Check the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon AW120 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX160 IS versus the AW120.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX160 IS and AW120 is 86 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions merely by checking out specs. The image here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SX160 IS and AW120.
All in all, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of images though you need to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged SX160 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Nikon Coolpix AW120 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Nikon Coolpix AW120 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
Released | 2013-06-21 | 2014-02-07 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 24-120mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/2.8-4.9 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | OLED monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per second | 7.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 5.20 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/2000 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 291 grams (0.64 lbs) | 213 grams (0.47 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") | 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") |
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 life | 380 photos | 350 photos |
Battery format | AA | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | - |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD / SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $199 | $350 |