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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ3 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
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Replacement is Nikon AW110
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Below is a comprehensive overview of the Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ3, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the AW100 (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The AW100 was released 16 months before the SZ3 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the AW100 grades against the SZ3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Panasonic SZ3

 AW100 SZ3 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Nikon AW100

 SZ3 AW100 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013August 2011More recent by 16 months

Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic SZ3

 AW100 SZ3 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon AW100 has got outer measurements of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ3 has sizing of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the AW100 compared to the SZ3.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW100 and SZ3 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements only by researching specs. The graphic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the AW100 and SZ3.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of images though you will want to factor the age of the cameras into account. The older AW100 will be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW100 Portrait photography info
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography info
30
MP count good (16MP)
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
30
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW100 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography features
55
environment proofing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW100 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography highlights
33
MP count good (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW100 Travel photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography information
67
environment proofing
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
71
lighter than others (126 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
41
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
MP count good (16MP)
environment proofing
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse function
39
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 Vlogging details
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging details
29
relatively wide (28mm)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
no external microphone support
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Panasonic SZ3
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix AW100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-08-24 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 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 function
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 4.10 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178 gr (0.39 pounds) 126 gr (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 - 250 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $299 $150