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Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
47
Overall
41

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS 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
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Succeeded the Nikon AW110
  • New Model is Nikon AW130
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Introduced February 2012
Photography Glossary

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Nikon AW120 versus Olympus SZ-31MR iHS, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. The image resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) is relatively close and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was revealed 2 years later than the SZ-31MR iHS and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a complete comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the AW120 grades vs the SZ-31MR iHS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 AW120 SZ-31MR iHS 
IntroducedFebruary 2014February 2012Fresher by 25 months
Screen resolution921k920kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Nikon AW120

 SZ-31MR iHS AW120 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 AW120 SZ-31MR iHS 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon AW120 provides 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) while the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has sizing of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Nikon AW120 versus Olympus SZ-31MR iHS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the AW120 compared to the SZ-31MR iHS.

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW120 and SZ-31MR iHS is 92 and 89 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to see the difference in sensor sizing just by viewing specifications. The visual here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the AW120 and SZ-31MR iHS.

Plainly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution so you can expect comparable quality of pictures although you need to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The newer AW120 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 Portrait photography details
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography details
34
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography advice
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography advice
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
boasts touch to focus
lighter than average (226 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon AW120
Sports photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery life (350 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
44
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW120 Travel photography info
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography info
69
better than average battery life (350 per charge)
environment sealing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than average (226g)
boasts touch to focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Landscape photography camera
47
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
environment sealing
better than average battery life (350 CIPA)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
40
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging info
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging info
33
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone port
34
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
missing external mic support
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Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
General Information
Brand Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Coolpix AW120 Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-02-07 2012-02-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Dual TruePic V
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology OLED monitor Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1700s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.20 m 9.30 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 213 gr (0.47 pounds) 226 gr (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 shots 200 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 LI-50B
Self timer - Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $350 $0