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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Nikon AW100
(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
Panasonic SZ1
(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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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

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").

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The 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

        

Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Panasonic SZ1

 AW100 SZ1 
Screen resolution460k230kSharper 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 
RevealedAugust 2011January 2012Same generation
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the AW100 and SZ1 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

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.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon AW100
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ1
29
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW100 Street photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography details
54
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (131 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW100 Sports photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography information
33
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
weather proofing
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon AW100
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ1
67
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
70
lighter than others in class (131 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW100 Landscape photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography details
41
really wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
weather proofing
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
42
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging advice
29
really wide (28mm)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic support
32
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than others in class (131g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Panasonic SZ1
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Panasonic 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