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Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S31

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
18
Overall
27

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S31 Key Specs

Nikon AW120
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Older Model is Nikon AW110
  • New Model is Nikon AW130
Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Revealed June 2013
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Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S31 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S31, both Waterproof cameras and both of them are built by Nikon. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the AW120 (16MP) and S31 (10MP) and the AW120 (1/2.3") and S31 (1/2.9") use different sensor measurements.

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The AW120 was announced 8 months later than the S31 and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the AW120 scores against the S31 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Nikon S31

 AW120 S31 
RevealedFebruary 2014June 2013Fresher by 8 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Nikon AW120

 S31 AW120 

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Nikon S31

 AW120 S31 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S31 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera, you should factor in its weight and size. The Nikon AW120 has exterior measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") along with a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Nikon S31 has specifications of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Check out the Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S31 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the AW120 and the S31.

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S31 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the AW120 and S31 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S31 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S31 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing simply by seeing technical specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the AW120 and S31.

As you can tell, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The AW120 having a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon AW120 will show more detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The newer AW120 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S31 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S31 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S31 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon AW120
Portrait photography with Nikon S31
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
20
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.9")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon AW120
Street photography with Nikon S31
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
52
weather proofing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.9")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 Sports photography factors
Nikon S31 Sports photography factors
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery power (350 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
25
weather proofing
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.9")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW120 Travel photography info
Nikon S31 Travel photography info
69
good battery power (350 shots)
environment proofing
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
59
weather proofing
has built in flash
great maximum aperture (f)
lack of Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (29mm)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 Landscape photography highlights
Nikon S31 Landscape photography highlights
48
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
environment proofing
good battery power (350 CIPA)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
30
great maximum aperture (f)
weather proofing
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.9")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon AW120
Vlogging with Nikon S31
33
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
24
great maximum aperture (f)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic support
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Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S31 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Nikon S31
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Nikon Coolpix S31
General Information
Make Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW120 Nikon Coolpix S31
Class Waterproof Waterproof
Announced 2014-02-07 2013-06-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.9"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 4.96 x 3.72mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 18.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 29-87mm (3.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 7.3
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 213 grams (0.47 pounds) 185 grams (0.41 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7")
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 photos 260 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 EN-EL12
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD / SDHC/SDXC SD / SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $350 $90