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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ3 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
  • Released February 2014
  • Succeeded the Nikon AW110
  • Successor is Nikon AW130
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Here is a in depth review of the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic SZ3, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was manufactured 14 months later than the SZ3 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the AW120 matches up versus the SZ3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Panasonic SZ3

 AW120 SZ3 
ReleasedFebruary 2014January 2013Fresher by 14 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Nikon AW120

 SZ3 AW120 

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic SZ3

 AW120 SZ3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon AW120 has got external measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") having a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ3 has proportions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic SZ3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the AW120 vs the SZ3.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the AW120 and SZ3 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by going through specifications. The graphic underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the AW120 and SZ3.

Plainly, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical MP so you can expect comparable quality of files however you would want to consider the age of the cameras into account. The younger AW120 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Portrait photography camera
35
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
30
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography features
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
great battery power (350 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
41
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon AW120
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ3
69
great battery power (350 shots)
weather proof
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competition in class (126g)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 Landscape photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography features
48
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proof
great battery power (350 shots)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
39
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging info
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging info
33
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
missing microphone socket
31
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic jack
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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Panasonic SZ3
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-02-07 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology OLED monitor TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 4.10 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 213g (0.47 pounds) 126g (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 250 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $350 $150