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Nikon AW100 vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Nikon AW100 vs Olympus SZ-12 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
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Updated by Nikon AW110
Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Nikon AW100 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Nikon AW100 versus Olympus SZ-12, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Olympus. The image resolution of the AW100 (16MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is relatively close and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The AW100 was launched 4 months prior to the SZ-12 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a short summation of how the AW100 grades vs the SZ-12 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

				

Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Olympus SZ-12

 AW100 SZ-12 

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Nikon AW100

 SZ-12 AW100 

Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Olympus SZ-12

 AW100 SZ-12 
IntroducedAugust 2011January 2012Same generation
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Nikon AW100 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon AW100 comes with outside measurements 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 Olympus SZ-12 has dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon AW100 versus Olympus SZ-12 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the AW100 versus the SZ-12.

Nikon AW100 vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW100 and SZ-12 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing only by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the AW100 and SZ-12.

As you can see, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Nikon AW100 to provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a little more aggressively.

Nikon AW100 vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
30
good resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
includes face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW100 Street photography info
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography info
55
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW100 Sports photography info
Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography info
33
good resolution (16MP)
environment proofing
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW100 Travel photography highlights
Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography highlights
67
environment proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
65
lighter than average (226 grams)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (220 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
41
decently wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual control
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
40
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery life (220 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 Vlogging information
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging information
29
decently wide (28mm)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of mic port
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than average (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Nikon AW100 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Olympus SZ-12
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Olympus SZ-12
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Coolpix AW100 Olympus SZ-12
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-08-24 2012-01-10
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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/3.0-6.9
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178 grams (0.39 lbs) 226 grams (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
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 - 220 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 LI-50B
Self timer - Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $299 $350