Clicky

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ1 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
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Replaced the Nikon AW110
  • Replacement is Nikon AW130
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ1, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The AW120 was released 2 years later than the SZ1 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summary of how the AW120 grades against the SZ1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

        

Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Panasonic SZ1

 AW120 SZ1 
LaunchedFebruary 2014January 2012More recent by 26 months
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Nikon AW120

 SZ1 AW120 

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic SZ1

 AW120 SZ1 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon AW120 provides exterior dimensions 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 SZ1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Compare the Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the AW120 vs the SZ1.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the AW120 and SZ1 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to picture the contrast in sensor measurements only by checking out a spec sheet. The visual here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW120 and SZ1.

As you can see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution and you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you have to take the production date of the cameras into account. The more recent AW120 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 Portrait photography info
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography info
34
good resolution (16MP)
features face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
34
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography details
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (131 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography factors
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery life (350 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Nikon AW120 Travel photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography information
69
good battery life (350 per charge)
environment proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than average (131g)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon AW120
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
47
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
good battery life (350 shots)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
42
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
33
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic socket
32
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than average (131g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Panasonic SZ1
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix AW120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-02-07 2012-01-09
Physical type 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 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech OLED monitor TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m 5.60 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 213 gr (0.47 lbs) 131 gr (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 250 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $350 $179