Nikon AW100 vs Samsung HZ15W
93 Imaging
39 Features
28 Overall
34


90 Imaging
34 Features
31 Overall
32
Nikon AW100 vs Samsung HZ15W 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
- Introduced August 2011
- Newer Model is Nikon AW110
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
- 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
- Introduced February 2009
- Alternate Name is WB550

Nikon AW100 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview
The following is a detailed assessment of the Nikon AW100 and Samsung HZ15W, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Nikon and Samsung. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the AW100 (16MP) and HZ15W (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The AW100 was introduced 2 years after the HZ15W which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summation of how the AW100 scores vs the HZ15W in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon AW100 vs Samsung HZ15W Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix AW100 and Samsung HZ15W. The whole galleries are available at Nikon AW100 Gallery and Samsung HZ15W Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Samsung HZ15W
AW100 | HZ15W | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 31 months |
Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Nikon AW100
HZ15W | AW100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focus |
Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Samsung HZ15W
AW100 | HZ15W | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display dimensions |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | No Touch friendly display |
Nikon AW100 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon AW100 enjoys outer 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 Samsung HZ15W has proportions of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon AW100 and Samsung HZ15W in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the AW100 versus the HZ15W.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the AW100 and HZ15W is 93 and 90 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions only by checking specs. The picture below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the AW100 and HZ15W.
All in all, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You should expect to see the Nikon AW100 to give you greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more recent AW100 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon AW100 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Samsung HZ15W | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Samsung |
Model | Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Samsung HZ15W |
Otherwise known as | - | WB550 |
Class | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2011-08-24 | 2009-02-23 |
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 | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 24-240mm (10.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.9-4.8 | f/3.3-5.8 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 460k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4s | 16s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 4.70 m |
Flash modes | - | Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance 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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 178 grams (0.39 pounds) | 249 grams (0.55 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") | 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 model | EN-EL12 | - |
Self timer | - | Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD / SDHC/SDXC | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $299 | $330 |