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Casio EX-Z280 vs Nikon AW120

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Casio Exilim EX-Z280 front
 
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41

Casio EX-Z280 vs Nikon AW120 Key Specs

Casio EX-Z280
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 97 x 53 x 20mm
  • Revealed August 2009
Nikon AW120
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 213g - 110 x 66 x 26mm
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Replaced the Nikon AW110
  • Successor is Nikon AW130
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Casio EX-Z280 vs Nikon AW120 Overview

The following is a complete comparison of the Casio EX-Z280 versus Nikon AW120, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by brands Casio and Nikon. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the EX-Z280 (12MP) and AW120 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The EX-Z280 was released 5 years earlier than the AW120 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a brief view of how the EX-Z280 grades against the AW120 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Casio EX-Z280 over the Nikon AW120

 EX-Z280 AW120 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Casio EX-Z280

 AW120 EX-Z280 
IntroducedFebruary 2014August 2009Newer by 54 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k115kCrisper screen (+806k dot)

Common features in the Casio EX-Z280 and Nikon AW120

 EX-Z280 AW120 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Casio EX-Z280 vs Nikon AW120 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Casio EX-Z280 enjoys outer measurements of 97mm x 53mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Nikon AW120 has dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check out the Casio EX-Z280 versus Nikon AW120 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the EX-Z280 compared to the AW120.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Nikon AW120 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the EX-Z280 and AW120 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Nikon AW120 top view buttons comparison

Casio EX-Z280 vs Nikon AW120 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions just by researching specifications. The image here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the EX-Z280 and AW120.

To sum up, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should expect the Nikon AW120 to result in extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged EX-Z280 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Nikon AW120 sensor size comparison

Casio EX-Z280 vs Nikon AW120 Screen and ViewFinder

Casio EX-Z280 vs Nikon AW120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Casio EX-Z280
Portrait photography with Nikon AW120
27
has manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
34
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Casio EX-Z280
Street photography with Nikon AW120
55
lighter than competition (133g)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
62
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Sports photography features
Nikon AW120 Sports photography features
17
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
50
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery (350 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon AW120 as a Travel photography camera
62
lighter than competition (133 grams)
flash built-in
quite wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
69
better than average battery (350 shots)
environment proof
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Landscape photography highlights
Nikon AW120 Landscape photography highlights
32
has manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
47
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proof
better than average battery (350 CIPA)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Vlogging advice
Nikon AW120 Vlogging advice
28
quite wide (26mm)
lighter than competition (133 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
33
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic port
Photography Glossary

Casio EX-Z280 vs Nikon AW120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Casio EX-Z280 and Nikon AW120
 Casio Exilim EX-Z280Nikon Coolpix AW120
General Information
Company Casio Nikon
Model Casio Exilim EX-Z280 Nikon Coolpix AW120
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Revealed 2009-08-31 2014-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-104mm (4.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.6-5.9 f/2.8-4.9
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 115 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.20 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 133 gr (0.29 lb) 213 gr (0.47 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 53 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 350 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model NP-80 EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Triple) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD / SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $180 $350