Clicky

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-2

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-2 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
  • Revealed February 2014
  • Earlier Model is Nikon AW110
  • Replacement is Nikon AW130
Olympus SH-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Revealed March 2015
  • Earlier Model is Olympus SH-1
  • Replacement is Olympus SH-3
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-2 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Nikon AW120 versus Olympus SH-2, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the SH-2 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The AW120 was unveiled 13 months before the SH-2 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summation of how the AW120 grades vs the SH-2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Olympus SH-2

 AW120 SH-2 
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Nikon AW120

 SH-2 AW120 
RevealedMarch 2015February 2014More recent by 13 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Olympus SH-2

 AW120 SH-2 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-2 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon AW120 provides outer dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") having a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Olympus SH-2 has sizing of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Examine the Nikon AW120 versus Olympus SH-2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the AW120 and the SH-2.

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the AW120 and SH-2 is 92 and 88 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements just by looking at specs. The photograph here might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW120 and SH-2.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution so you should expect similar quality of images although you have to take the production date of the products into consideration. The older AW120 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-2 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Portrait photography camera
35
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
44
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography factors
Olympus SH-2 Street photography factors
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
70
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
includes focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (271g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon AW120
Sports photography with Olympus SH-2
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
great battery power (350 CIPA)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
better than average battery (380 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon AW120
Travel photography with Olympus SH-2
69
great battery power (350 shots)
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
74
better than average battery (380 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (271g)
includes focus via touch
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 Landscape photography information
Olympus SH-2 Landscape photography information
48
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
great battery power (350 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
55
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (380 shots)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging info
Olympus SH-2 Vlogging info
33
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic jack
35
fairly wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (271g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of external mic port
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Nikon AW120 vs Olympus SH-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Olympus SH-2
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Olympus Stylus SH-2
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW120 Olympus Stylus SH-2
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-02-07 2015-03-11
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - TruePic VII
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
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 format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 11.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash settings - Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 grams (0.47 lb) 271 grams (0.60 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" 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 photos 380 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 LI-92B
Self timer - Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $350 $399