Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20
93 Imaging
38 Features
28 Overall
34
94 Imaging
32 Features
17 Overall
26
Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced August 2011
- Newer Model is Nikon AW110
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 135g - 97 x 61 x 29mm
- Introduced February 2009
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Here, we will be matching up the Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both created by Nikon. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the AW100 (16MP) and L20 (10MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe AW100 was released 2 years after the L20 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the AW100 grades versus the L20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix AW100 & Nikon Coolpix L20. The complete galleries are available at Nikon AW100 Gallery & Nikon L20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Nikon L20
| AW100 | L20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | August 2011 | February 2009 | More modern by 32 months | |
| Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon L20 over the Nikon AW100
| L20 | AW100 |
|---|
Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Nikon L20
| AW100 | L20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Lack of manual focus | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen measurement | |
| Selfie screen | Missing selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Neither offers Touch screen |
Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Nikon AW100 offers external dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Nikon L20 has specifications of 97mm x 61mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).
Examine the Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the AW100 and the L20.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the AW100 and L20 is 93 and 94 respectively.
Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes just by reading through technical specs. The image underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW100 and L20.
As you have seen, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Nikon AW100 to resolve more detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more modern AW100 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.
Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20 Specifications
| Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Nikon Coolpix L20 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Nikon | Nikon |
| Model type | Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Nikon Coolpix L20 |
| Type | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
| Introduced | 2011-08-24 | 2009-02-03 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
| Highest native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
| Min native ISO | 125 | 64 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Cross type focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/3.9-4.8 | f/3.1-6.7 |
| Macro focusing range | - | 5cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 460k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Display technology | TFT LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 4s | 8s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames per second | - |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash modes | - | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB 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) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Mic 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 | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 178 gr (0.39 lb) | 135 gr (0.30 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") | 97 x 61 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
| 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 ID | EN-EL12 | 2 x AA |
| Self timer | - | Yes |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD / SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail cost | $299 | $120 |