Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon AW100
89 Imaging
46 Features
51 Overall
48


93 Imaging
39 Features
28 Overall
34
Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon AW100 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20.3MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-960mm (F3.3-6.9) lens
- 270g - 110 x 64 x 36mm
- Released February 2016
- Superseded the Canon SX710 HS
- Successor is Canon SX730 HS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
- 178g - 110 x 65 x 23mm
- Introduced August 2011
- Later Model is Nikon AW110

Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon AW100 Overview
Below, we will be evaluating the Canon SX720 HS and Nikon AW100, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by brands Canon and Nikon. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the SX720 HS (20.3MP) and AW100 (16MP) but they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX720 HS was introduced 4 years later than the AW100 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SX720 HS grades against the AW100 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon AW100 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX720 HS and Nikon Coolpix AW100. The whole galleries are available at Canon SX720 HS Gallery and Nikon AW100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Nikon AW100
SX720 HS | AW100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2016 | ![]() | August 2011 | Fresher by 55 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+462k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Canon SX720 HS
AW100 | SX720 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX720 HS and Nikon AW100
SX720 HS | AW100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch screen |
Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon AW100 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX720 HS offers external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Nikon AW100 has sizing of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX720 HS and Nikon AW100 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the SX720 HS vs the AW100.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SX720 HS and AW100 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon AW100 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading through technical specs. The photograph below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX720 HS and AW100.
As you have seen, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Canon SX720 HS to resolve extra detail using its extra 4.3MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots much more aggressively. The more recent SX720 HS provides an edge in sensor technology.

Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon AW100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon AW100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS | Nikon Coolpix AW100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX720 HS | Nikon Coolpix AW100 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
Released | 2016-02-18 | 2011-08-24 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 6 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20.3MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Highest Possible resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-960mm (40.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.3-6.9 | f/3.9-4.8 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 922k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 5.9 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | - |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 270 gr (0.60 pounds) | 178 gr (0.39 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") | 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 life | 250 photographs | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-13L | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | - |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD / SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $379 | $299 |