Nikon AW100 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS

Below is a in-depth analysis of the Nikon AW100 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the AW100 (16MP) and XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the AW100 (1/2.3") and XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") have totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The AW100 was introduced 16 months before the XZ-2 iHS making them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summation of how the AW100 scores against the XZ-2 iHS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix AW100 & Olympus XZ-2 iHS. The whole galleries are viewable at Nikon AW100 Gallery & Olympus XZ-2 iHS Gallery.

If you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. 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 XZ-2 iHS has proportions of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") having a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs).

Check the Nikon AW100 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the AW100 against the XZ-2 iHS.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the AW100 and XZ-2 iHS is 93 and 85 respectively.

Often, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements purely by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the AW100 and XZ-2 iHS.

As you can see, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The AW100 using its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field harder and the Nikon AW100 will provide greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The older AW100 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.