Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L120
93 Imaging
39 Features
28 Overall
34


75 Imaging
37 Features
38 Overall
37
Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L120 Key Specs
(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
- Announced August 2011
- Newer Model is Nikon AW110
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
- 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
- Released February 2011
- Old Model is Nikon L110

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L120 Overview
Its time to take a closer look at the Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L120, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are designed by Nikon. The resolution of the AW100 (16MP) and the L120 (14MP) is fairly similar and both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The AW100 was launched 7 months after the L120 which means that they are of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a short view of how the AW100 matches up against the L120 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L120 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix AW100 & Nikon Coolpix L120. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon AW100 Gallery & Nikon L120 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Nikon L120
AW100 | L120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2011 | ![]() | February 2011 | More modern by 7 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Nikon AW100
L120 | AW100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Nikon L120
AW100 | L120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch display |
Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L120 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon AW100 provides exterior dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Nikon L120 has sizing of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") with a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs).
Look at the Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L120 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the AW100 versus the L120.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the AW100 and L120 is 93 and 75 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L120 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's tough to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by going over technical specs. The image underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW100 and L120.
As you can tell, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Nikon AW100 to deliver more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos more aggressively. The younger AW100 will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L120 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L120 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Nikon Coolpix L120 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Nikon |
Model | Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Nikon Coolpix L120 |
Type | Waterproof | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2011-08-24 | 2011-02-09 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
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 | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 25-525mm (21.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.9-4.8 | f/3.1-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | - | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 4 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 6.00 m |
Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye |
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) | 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 178 gr (0.39 pounds) | 431 gr (0.95 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") | 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | - | 330 photographs |
Type of battery | - | AA |
Battery model | EN-EL12 | 4 x AA |
Self timer | - | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $299 | $300 |