Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8000
92 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


93 Imaging
36 Features
31 Overall
34
Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8000 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced February 2014
- Succeeded the Nikon AW110
- Newer Model is Nikon AW130
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 183g - 103 x 57 x 27mm
- Revealed June 2010

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8000 Overview
The following is a extended review of the Nikon AW120 versus Nikon S8000, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both offered by Nikon. The resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the S8000 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The AW120 was released 3 years after the S8000 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the AW120 scores vs the S8000 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8000 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix AW120 and Nikon Coolpix S8000. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon AW120 Gallery and Nikon S8000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Nikon S8000
AW120 | S8000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2014 | ![]() | June 2010 | Newer by 45 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon S8000 over the Nikon AW120
S8000 | AW120 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Nikon S8000
AW120 | S8000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly screen |
Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8000 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon AW120 provides outer dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") with a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Nikon S8000 has proportions of 103mm x 57mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.2" x 1.1") along with a weight of 183 grams (0.40 lbs).
Examine the Nikon AW120 versus Nikon S8000 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the AW120 and the S8000.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the AW120 and S8000 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8000 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions only by looking at specs. The pic here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the AW120 and S8000.
All in all, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Nikon AW120 to give you more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger AW120 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8000 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8000 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Nikon Coolpix S8000 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Nikon |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Nikon Coolpix S8000 |
Category | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2014-02-07 | 2010-06-16 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 30-300mm (10.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.8-4.9 | f/3.5-5.6 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 2cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | OLED monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 seconds | 8 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 7.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.20 m | - |
Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | H.264 |
Microphone 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 213g (0.47 lb) | 183g (0.40 lb) |
Dimensions | 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") | 103 x 57 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.2" 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 pictures | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | EN-EL12 | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | - | Yes (3 sec or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $350 | $300 |