Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FZ28
93 Imaging
39 Features
28 Overall
34


72 Imaging
32 Features
30 Overall
31
Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FZ28 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
- Launched August 2011
- Replacement is Nikon AW110
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 27-486mm (F2.8-4.4) lens
- 417g - 118 x 75 x 89mm
- Revealed January 2009

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FZ28 Overview
On this page, we will be contrasting the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic FZ28, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the AW100 (16MP) and FZ28 (10MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The AW100 was launched 2 years later than the FZ28 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the AW100 scores vs the FZ28 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FZ28 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix AW100 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28. The complete galleries are available at Nikon AW100 Gallery & Panasonic FZ28 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Panasonic FZ28
AW100 | FZ28 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2011 | ![]() | January 2009 | More recent by 32 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ28 over the Nikon AW100
FZ28 | AW100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing |
Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic FZ28
AW100 | FZ28 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch screen |
Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FZ28 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon AW100 offers physical measurements 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 Panasonic FZ28 has dimensions of 118mm x 75mm x 89mm (4.6" x 3.0" x 3.5") having a weight of 417 grams (0.92 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic FZ28 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the AW100 and the FZ28.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the AW100 and FZ28 is 93 and 72 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FZ28 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements merely by reviewing specifications. The graphic below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the AW100 and FZ28.
To sum up, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Nikon AW100 to offer you greater detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots more aggressively. The more modern AW100 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FZ28 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic FZ28 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 |
Category | Waterproof | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2011-08-24 | 2009-01-15 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 10MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 27-486mm (18.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.9-4.8 | f/2.8-4.4 |
Macro focus distance | - | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 60 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 8.50 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash settings | - | Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
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, 848 x 480, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 @ 30fps, 320 x 240 @ 10fps |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Microphone 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 grams (0.39 lb) | 417 grams (0.92 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") | 118 x 75 x 89mm (4.6" x 3.0" x 3.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 27 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 17.9 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 10.1 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 79 |
Other | ||
Battery model | EN-EL12 | - |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $299 | $599 |