Clicky

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20

Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L20 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20 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
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Newer Model is Nikon AW110
Nikon L20
(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
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20 Overview

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 modes

The 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.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

        

Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Nikon L20

 AW100 L20 
IntroducedAugust 2011February 2009More modern by 32 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the AW100 and L20 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L20 as a Portrait photography camera
29
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Nikon AW100 Street photography highlights
Nikon L20 Street photography highlights
54
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
54
lighter than competitors in class (135g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Nikon AW100 Sports photography features
Nikon L20 Sports photography features
33
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
16
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Nikon AW100 Travel photography info
Nikon L20 Travel photography info
67
environment sealing
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
55
lighter than competitors in class (135g)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW100 Landscape photography factors
Nikon L20 Landscape photography factors
41
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
environment sealing
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
26
nice screen size (3 inches)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Time Lapse function
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 Vlogging information
Nikon L20 Vlogging information
29
fairly wide (28mm)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external mic jack
24
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Nikon AW100 vs Nikon L20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Nikon L20
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Nikon 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