Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V
93 Imaging
39 Features
28 Overall
34


90 Imaging
42 Features
50 Overall
45
Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V 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
- Released August 2011
- Replacement is Nikon AW110
(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

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").

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.

Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix AW100 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon AW100 Gallery & Sony HX20V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Sony HX20V
AW100 | HX20V |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Nikon AW100
HX20V | AW100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2012 | ![]() | August 2011 | Newer by 11 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Sony HX20V
AW100 | HX20V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Sony HX20V Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Sony 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 |