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Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S8100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
36
Overall
35

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100 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
  • Launched February 2014
  • Succeeded the Nikon AW110
  • Newer Model is Nikon AW130
Nikon S8100
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Nikon S8100

 AW120 S8100 
RevealedFebruary 2014September 2010Newer 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution921k921kExact 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100 size comparison

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

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon AW120
Portrait photography with Nikon S8100
35
MP count good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
26
comes with face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography info
Nikon S8100 Street photography info
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S8100 as a Sports photography camera
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery life (350 CIPA)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
38
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon AW120
Travel photography with Nikon S8100
69
better than average battery life (350 per charge)
environment proof
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
55
flash built-in
very long reach (300mm)
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon AW120
Landscape photography with Nikon S8100
48
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
environment proof
better than average battery life (350 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
32
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon AW120
Vlogging with Nikon S8100
33
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
missing mic socket
30
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
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Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S8100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Nikon S8100
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Nikon 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