Kodak Z980 vs Nikon AW120
68 Imaging
34 Features
40 Overall
36


92 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42
Kodak Z980 vs Nikon AW120 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 445g - 124 x 91 x 105mm
- Revealed January 2009
(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
- Introduced February 2014
- Superseded the Nikon AW110
- Successor is Nikon AW130

Kodak Z980 vs Nikon AW120 Overview
In this write-up, we are comparing the Kodak Z980 vs Nikon AW120, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by competitors Kodak and Nikon. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the Z980 (12MP) and AW120 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The Z980 was launched 6 years prior to the AW120 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick view of how the Z980 grades vs the AW120 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Kodak Z980 vs Nikon AW120 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Kodak EasyShare Z980 & Nikon Coolpix AW120. The complete galleries are provided at Kodak Z980 Gallery & Nikon AW120 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Kodak Z980 over the Nikon AW120
Z980 | AW120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing |
Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Kodak Z980
AW120 | Z980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2014 | ![]() | January 2009 | More recent by 61 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 201k | Crisper display (+720k dot) |
Common features in the Kodak Z980 and Nikon AW120
Z980 | AW120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly display |
Kodak Z980 vs Nikon AW120 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Kodak Z980 features external dimensions of 124mm x 91mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 4.1") and a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs) while the Nikon AW120 has dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") with a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs).
Analyze the Kodak Z980 vs Nikon AW120 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the Z980 vs the AW120.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Z980 and AW120 is 68 and 92 respectively.

Kodak Z980 vs Nikon AW120 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to picture the contrast between sensor measurements purely by looking at specs. The visual here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z980 and AW120.
As you can plainly see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Nikon AW120 to give greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images far more aggressively. The older Z980 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Kodak Z980 vs Nikon AW120 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z980 vs Nikon AW120 Specifications
Kodak EasyShare Z980 | Nikon Coolpix AW120 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Kodak | Nikon |
Model | Kodak EasyShare Z980 | Nikon Coolpix AW120 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
Revealed | 2009-01-05 | 2014-02-07 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 64 | 125 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 25 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 26-624mm (24.0x) | 24-120mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.8-5.0 | f/2.8-4.9 |
Macro focus range | 10cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 201 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | - | OLED monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 16 seconds | 4 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 6.30 m | 5.20 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off | - |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | 445 grams (0.98 pounds) | 213 grams (0.47 pounds) |
Dimensions | 124 x 91 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 4.1") | 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 |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 4 x AA | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | - |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD / SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $249 | $350 |