Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ1
93 Imaging
38 Features
28 Overall
34
95 Imaging
38 Features
34 Overall
36
Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs
(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
- Launched August 2011
- Successor is Nikon AW110
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Revealed January 2012
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Its time to take a closer look at the Nikon AW100 versus Panasonic SZ1, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the AW100 (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe AW100 was manufactured 4 months before the SZ1 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short highlight of how the AW100 grades versus the SZ1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Photography Glossary Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix AW100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1. The entire galleries are available at Nikon AW100 Gallery and Panasonic SZ1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Panasonic SZ1
| AW100 | SZ1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Nikon AW100
| SZ1 | AW100 |
|---|
Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic SZ1
| AW100 | SZ1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | August 2011 | January 2012 | Same generation | |
| Manually focus | No manual focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen size | |
| Selfie screen | No selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Neither includes Touch screen |
Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon AW100 features exterior dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ1 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).
See the Nikon AW100 versus Panasonic SZ1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the AW100 versus the SZ1.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the AW100 and SZ1 is 93 and 95 respectively.
Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing just by researching technical specs. The photograph below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW100 and SZ1.
As you have seen, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of pictures however you will want to take the production date of the cameras into account.
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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications
| Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Nikon | Panasonic |
| Model type | Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 |
| Class | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
| Launched | 2011-08-24 | 2012-01-09 |
| Body design | 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 | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 125 | 100 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | - | 23 |
| Cross type focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
| Max aperture | f/3.9-4.8 | f/3.1-5.9 |
| Macro focusing range | - | 4cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Display resolution | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Display tech | TFT LCD | TFT Color LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 8 seconds |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
| Continuous shooting speed | 3.0fps | 1.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | - | 5.60 m |
| Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| 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) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 178g (0.39 lbs) | 131g (0.29 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | - | 250 shots |
| Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | EN-EL12 | - |
| Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage media | SD / SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Pricing at launch | $299 | $179 |