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Nikon AW100 vs Sony W230

Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W230 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
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Refreshed by Nikon AW110
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released February 2009
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Nikon AW100 vs Sony W230 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Nikon AW100 and Sony W230, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the AW100 (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The AW100 was unveiled 2 years later than the W230 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the AW100 matches up against the W230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Sony W230

 AW100 W230 
ReleasedAugust 2011February 2009Fresher by 31 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Nikon AW100

 W230 AW100 
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Sony W230

 AW100 W230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon AW100 enjoys outer 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) whilst the Sony W230 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Check out the Nikon AW100 and Sony W230 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the AW100 and the W230.

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW100 and W230 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing merely by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the AW100 and W230.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Nikon AW100 to result in more detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The fresher AW100 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW100 Portrait photography advice
Sony W230 Portrait photography advice
29
MP count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon AW100
Street photography with Sony W230
54
environment sealing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W230 as a Sports photography camera
33
MP count good (16MP)
environment sealing
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW100 Travel photography highlights
Sony W230 Travel photography highlights
67
environment sealing
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon AW100
Landscape photography with Sony W230
41
quite wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
36
has manual focus
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 Vlogging highlights
Sony W230 Vlogging highlights
29
quite wide (28mm)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have external microphone support
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic support
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Nikon AW100 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Sony W230
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-08-24 2009-02-17
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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 1 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178 grams (0.39 lbs) 156 grams (0.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD / SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $299 $180