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Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-50

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Olympus SH-50 front
Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
48
Overall
42

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-50 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
  • Revealed February 2014
  • Succeeded the Nikon AW110
  • Successor is Nikon AW130
Olympus SH-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 269g - 112 x 63 x 42mm
  • Launched January 2013
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Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-50 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-50, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the SH-50 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was launched 14 months after the SH-50 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short highlight of how the AW120 scores versus the SH-50 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Olympus SH-50

 AW120 SH-50 
LaunchedFebruary 2014January 2013Newer by 14 months
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-50 over the Nikon AW120

 SH-50 AW120 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Olympus SH-50

 AW120 SH-50 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-50 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon AW120 enjoys external measurements 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 Olympus SH-50 has sizing of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the AW120 versus the SH-50.

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-50 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW120 and SH-50 is 92 and 88 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-50 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions just by looking through technical specs. The pic underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the AW120 and SH-50.

As you have seen, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of files though you might want to take the age of the cameras into account. The fresher AW120 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-50 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 Portrait photography details
Olympus SH-50 Portrait photography details
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
43
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography features
Olympus SH-50 Street photography features
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
64
image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than competition (269g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 Sports photography features
Olympus SH-50 Sports photography features
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
good battery pack (350 CIPA)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
48
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon AW120
Travel photography with Olympus SH-50
69
good battery pack (350 CIPA)
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition (269g)
supports focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon AW120
Landscape photography with Olympus SH-50
48
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
weather proof
good battery pack (350 CIPA)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
49
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging factors
Olympus SH-50 Vlogging factors
33
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
34
rather wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (269 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
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Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Olympus SH-50
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Olympus SH-50
General Information
Make Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW120 Olympus SH-50
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-02-07 2013-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic VI
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 4.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
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 (60fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 213 gr (0.47 lbs) 269 gr (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 112 x 63 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7")
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 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 SLB-10A
Self timer - Yes (2 or 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $350 $300