Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FH5
93 Imaging
39 Features
28 Overall
34


96 Imaging
38 Features
31 Overall
35
Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FH5 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
- Introduced August 2011
- Successor is Nikon AW110
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
- 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
- Released January 2011
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS18

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FH5 Overview
The following is a complete overview of the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic FH5, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the AW100 (16MP) and the FH5 (16MP) is pretty similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The AW100 was introduced 8 months after the FH5 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the AW100 matches up versus the FH5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FH5 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix AW100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5. The whole galleries are available at Nikon AW100 Gallery and Panasonic FH5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Panasonic FH5
AW100 | FH5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2011 | ![]() | January 2011 | Newer by 8 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Nikon AW100
FH5 | AW100 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic FH5
AW100 | FH5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FH5 Physical Comparison
If you're going to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon AW100 has got 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 Panasonic FH5 has dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).
See the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic FH5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the AW100 versus the FH5.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the AW100 and FH5 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FH5 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading a spec sheet. The picture underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW100 and FH5.
As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution and you should expect similar quality of photographs but you should really consider the production date of the products into consideration. The fresher AW100 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FH5 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 |
Also Known as | - | Lumix DMC-FS18 |
Type | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2011-08-24 | 2011-01-05 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Venus Engine IV |
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 | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.9-4.8 | f/3.1-6.5 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | - | 3.30 m |
Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 178 gr (0.39 pounds) | 121 gr (0.27 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") | 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") |
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 | - | 260 pictures |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL12 | - |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD / SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $299 | $169 |