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Nikon AW120 vs Nikon L22

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L22 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon L22 Key Specs

Nikon AW120
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 213g - 110 x 66 x 26mm
  • Announced February 2014
  • Earlier Model is Nikon AW110
  • Replacement is Nikon AW130
Nikon L22
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 37-134mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 183g - 98 x 61 x 28mm
  • Introduced February 2010
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Nikon AW120 vs Nikon L22 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Nikon AW120 versus Nikon L22, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are manufactured by Nikon. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the AW120 (16MP) and L22 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was released 4 years later than the L22 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the AW120 grades vs the L22 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Nikon L22

 AW120 L22 
IntroducedFebruary 2014February 2010Fresher by 49 months
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon L22 over the Nikon AW120

 L22 AW120 

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Nikon L22

 AW120 L22 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon L22 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon AW120 features exterior measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") with a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Nikon L22 has dimensions of 98mm x 61mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 183 grams (0.40 lbs).

Look at the Nikon AW120 versus Nikon L22 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the AW120 vs the L22.

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon L22 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the AW120 and L22 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon L22 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon L22 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The visual below might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the AW120 and L22.

As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon AW120 to offer you extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more recent AW120 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon L22 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon L22 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon L22 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 Portrait photography features
Nikon L22 Portrait photography features
35
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
21
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon AW120
Street photography with Nikon L22
62
image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
46
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 Sports photography details
Nikon L22 Sports photography details
51
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
great battery life (350 per charge)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
17
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon L22 as a Travel photography camera
69
great battery life (350 per charge)
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
50
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 Landscape photography highlights
Nikon L22 Landscape photography highlights
48
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
weather sealing
great battery life (350 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
27
screen is a good size (3 inches)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L22 as a Vlogging camera
33
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone port
22
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
no external mic port
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Nikon AW120 vs Nikon L22 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Nikon L22
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Nikon Coolpix L22
General Information
Make Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW120 Nikon Coolpix L22
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-02-07 2010-02-03
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed C2
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 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 37-134mm (3.6x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m -
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 213g (0.47 pounds) 183g (0.40 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 98 x 61 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 350 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 2 x AA
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $350 $130