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Nikon AW100 vs Nikon AW120

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon AW120 Key Specs

Nikon AW100
(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
  • Released August 2011
  • Renewed by Nikon AW110
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
  • Released February 2014
  • Old Model is Nikon AW110
  • Replacement is Nikon AW130
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Nikon AW100 vs Nikon AW120 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Nikon AW100 vs Nikon AW120, both Waterproof digital cameras and they are both sold by Nikon. The sensor resolution of the AW100 (16MP) and the AW120 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The AW100 was revealed 3 years before the AW120 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the AW100 grades against the AW120 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Nikon AW120

 AW100 AW120 

Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Nikon AW100

 AW120 AW100 
ReleasedFebruary 2014August 2011More modern by 29 months
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Nikon AW120

 AW100 AW120 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon AW120 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon AW100 provides exterior dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Nikon AW120 has measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") with a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check the Nikon AW100 vs Nikon AW120 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the AW100 vs the AW120.

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon AW120 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the AW100 and AW120 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon AW120 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon AW120 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes only by looking at a spec sheet. The pic below may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the AW100 and AW120.

As you can see, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of photos although you will want to factor the age of the products into consideration. The more aged AW100 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon AW120 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon AW120 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon AW120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW100 Portrait photography information
Nikon AW120 Portrait photography information
30
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Street photography camera
Nikon AW120 as a Street photography camera
55
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW100 Sports photography features
Nikon AW120 Sports photography features
33
resolution is good (16MP)
weather sealing
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
great battery (350 shots)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW100 Travel photography highlights
Nikon AW120 Travel photography highlights
67
weather sealing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
69
great battery (350 per charge)
weather proofing
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
no Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW100 Landscape photography details
Nikon AW120 Landscape photography details
41
fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
48
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
great battery (350 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 Vlogging details
Nikon AW120 Vlogging details
29
fairly wide (28mm)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone jack
33
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
no microphone jack
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Nikon AW100 vs Nikon AW120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Nikon AW120
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Nikon Coolpix AW120
General Information
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon Coolpix AW100 Nikon Coolpix AW120
Class Waterproof Waterproof
Released 2011-08-24 2014-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 125 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/2.8-4.9
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 5.20 m
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, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178 grams (0.39 lb) 213 grams (0.47 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") 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 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 EN-EL12
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD / SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $299 $350