Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic FH3
92 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


94 Imaging
36 Features
21 Overall
30
Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic FH3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic FH3 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix AW120 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon AW120 Gallery & Panasonic FH3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Panasonic FH3
AW120 | FH3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2014 | ![]() | January 2010 | Newer by 50 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic FH3 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Panasonic 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 |