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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FH5

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
31
Overall
35

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FH5 Key Specs

Nikon AW100
(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
Panasonic FH5
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Panasonic FH5

 AW100 FH5 
ReleasedAugust 2011January 2011Newer by 8 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FH5 size comparison

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

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FH5 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW100 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography details
30
megapixel count good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW100 Street photography advice
Panasonic FH5 Street photography advice
55
environment proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
lighter than competition (121g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FH5 as a Sports photography camera
33
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
environment proof
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW100 Travel photography information
Panasonic FH5 Travel photography information
67
environment proof
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
71
lighter than competition (121g)
comes with focus by touch
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW100 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography highlights
41
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
environment proof
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
38
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FH5 as a Vlogging camera
29
decently wide (28mm)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have mic jack
33
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (121g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FH5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Panasonic FH5
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Panasonic 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