Nikon AW100 vs Sony W230
93 Imaging
38 Features
28 Overall
34


95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Nikon AW100 vs Sony W230 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W230 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix AW100 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The full galleries are provided at Nikon AW100 Gallery and Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Sony W230
AW100 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 31 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W230 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW100 | Sony 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 |