Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ5
92 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


95 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
35
Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ5 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
- Released February 2014
- Previous Model is Nikon AW110
- Later Model is Nikon AW130
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
- Released July 2012

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview
Lets look closer at the Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ5, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is very comparable and they feature the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The AW120 was launched 19 months later than the SZ5 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the AW120 matches up against the SZ5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ5 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix AW120 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon AW120 Gallery and Panasonic SZ5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Panasonic SZ5
AW120 | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2014 | ![]() | July 2012 | More recent by 19 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Nikon AW120
SZ5 | AW120 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic SZ5
AW120 | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Absent Touch display |
Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison
If you are going to lug around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon AW120 comes with external dimensions 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 SZ5 has sizing of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).
Look at the Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the AW120 vs the SZ5.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the AW120 and SZ5 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements simply by seeing specifications. The graphic below may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the AW120 and SZ5.
Plainly, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should expect to see the Nikon AW120 to produce extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more recent AW120 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 |
Class | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2014-02-07 | 2012-07-18 |
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 area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 23 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.8-4.9 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 921k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | OLED monitor | TFT Screen LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 8s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.20 m | 5.60 m |
Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 213 grams (0.47 lbs) | 136 grams (0.30 lbs) |
Dimensions | 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") | 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
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 | 250 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL12 | - |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD / SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $350 | $195 |