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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic FH3

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic FH3 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
  • Updated by Nikon AW130
Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS11
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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic FH3 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic FH3, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the FH3 (14MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was announced 4 years after the FH3 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the AW120 grades versus the FH3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Panasonic FH3

 AW120 FH3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014January 2010Newer by 50 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Nikon AW120

 FH3 AW120 

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic FH3

 AW120 FH3 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic FH3 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and size. The Nikon AW120 has got outside measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") along with a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH3 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs).

Check the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic FH3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the AW120 versus the FH3.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic FH3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW120 and FH3 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic FH3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic FH3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking technical specs. The pic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the AW120 and FH3.

As you have seen, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can anticipate the Nikon AW120 to give greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos more aggressively. The more recent AW120 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic FH3 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 Portrait photography information
Panasonic FH3 Portrait photography information
35
decent MP (16MP)
features face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
28
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon AW120
Street photography with Panasonic FH3
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FH3 Sports photography highlights
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery pack (350 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW120 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FH3 Travel photography highlights
69
good battery pack (350 CIPA)
weather proofing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
no Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
64
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 Landscape photography details
Panasonic FH3 Landscape photography details
48
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
good battery pack (350 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse recording
37
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging information
Panasonic FH3 Vlogging information
33
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone port
29
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone jack
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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic FH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Panasonic FH3
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix AW120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
Also called - Lumix DMC-FS11
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-02-07 2010-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.20 m 6.80 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 213 grams (0.47 pounds) 165 grams (0.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $350 $160