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Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V 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
  • Released August 2011
  • Replacement is Nikon AW110
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX10V
  • Updated by Sony HX30V
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Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the AW100 (16MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The AW100 was revealed 11 months earlier than the HX20V so they are of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the AW100 scores versus the HX20V for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Sony HX20V

 AW100 HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Nikon AW100

 HX20V AW100 
AnnouncedJuly 2012August 2011Newer by 11 months
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen resolution922k460kSharper screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Sony HX20V

 AW100 HX20V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon AW100 has got exterior measurements of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Sony HX20V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the AW100 compared to the HX20V.

Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW100 and HX20V is 93 and 90 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions purely by researching specifications. The image below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the AW100 and HX20V.

To sum up, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Sony HX20V to render extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged AW100 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW100 Portrait photography factors
Sony HX20V Portrait photography factors
30
good megapixels (16MP)
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
45
you can focus manually
good megapixels (18MP)
includes face detection focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW100 Street photography highlights
Sony HX20V Street photography highlights
55
weather proofing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW100 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX20V Sports photography highlights
33
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
49
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Travel photography camera
67
weather proofing
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
69
lighter than competition (254g)
good megapixels (18MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW100 Landscape photography details
Sony HX20V Landscape photography details
41
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
50
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 Vlogging info
Sony HX20V Vlogging info
29
decently wide (28mm)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of external microphone socket
34
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (254g)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone jack
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Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Sony HX20V
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-08-24 2012-07-20
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 7.10 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178 gr (0.39 pounds) 254 gr (0.56 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 - 320 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 NP-BG1
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $299 $397