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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic TS3

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic TS3 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
  • Replaced the Nikon AW110
  • New Model is Nikon AW130
Panasonic TS3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FT3
  • Replaced the Panasonic TS2
  • Renewed by Panasonic TS4
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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic TS3 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic TS3, both Waterproof cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the AW120 (16MP) and TS3 (12MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was revealed 2 years later than the TS3 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summation of how the AW120 scores versus the TS3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Panasonic TS3

 AW120 TS3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014August 2011More recent by 31 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS3 over the Nikon AW120

 TS3 AW120 

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic TS3

 AW120 TS3 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic TS3 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon AW120 features physical 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 TS3 has measurements of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") with a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs).

Look at the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic TS3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the AW120 compared to the TS3.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic TS3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW120 and TS3 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic TS3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic TS3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements purely by going through technical specs. The photograph below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the AW120 and TS3.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Nikon AW120 to show more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer AW120 will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic TS3 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic TS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic TS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic TS3 as a Portrait photography camera
35
MP count decent (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography factors
Panasonic TS3 Street photography factors
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
61
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon AW120
Sports photography with Panasonic TS3
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery (350 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
37
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
good battery (310 per charge)
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
low fps (4.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic TS3 as a Travel photography camera
69
good battery (350 shots)
weather proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
63
good battery (310 CIPA)
environment proof
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 Landscape photography details
Panasonic TS3 Landscape photography details
48
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
good battery (350 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
38
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
good battery (310 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging factors
Panasonic TS3 Vlogging factors
33
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no mic support
31
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of mic jack
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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic TS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Panasonic TS3
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FT3
Category Waterproof Waterproof
Released 2014-02-07 2011-08-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine FHD
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 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-128mm (4.6x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology OLED monitor TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 5.60 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 213 grams (0.47 lb) 197 grams (0.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots 310 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $350 $380