Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100
92 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


93 Imaging
35 Features
36 Overall
35
Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100 Key Specs
(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
- Launched February 2014
- Succeeded the Nikon AW110
- Newer Model is Nikon AW130
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
- Revealed September 2010

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100 Overview
Lets take a deeper look at the Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are sold by Nikon. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the AW120 (16MP) and S8100 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The AW120 was announced 3 years after the S8100 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the AW120 scores against the S8100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix AW120 & Nikon Coolpix S8100. The whole galleries are available at Nikon AW120 Gallery & Nikon S8100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Nikon S8100
AW120 | S8100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2014 | ![]() | September 2010 | Newer by 42 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Nikon AW120
S8100 | AW120 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Nikon S8100
AW120 | S8100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurements |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch display |
Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon AW120 features outer measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") and a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Nikon S8100 has dimensions of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).
Compare the Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the AW120 versus the S8100.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the AW120 and S8100 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading specifications. The picture underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the AW120 and S8100.
Plainly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Nikon AW120 to offer greater detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher AW120 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Nikon Coolpix S8100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Nikon |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Nikon Coolpix S8100 |
Type | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2014-02-07 | 2010-09-08 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
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 | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 160 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
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 range | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 921 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | OLED monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 7.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.20 m | - |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | H.264 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 lbs) | 180g (0.40 lbs) |
Dimensions | 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") | 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") |
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 life | 350 photos | 220 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL12 | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | - | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $350 | $299 |