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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZR3 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
  • Released February 2014
  • Succeeded the Nikon AW110
  • Renewed by Nikon AW130
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

The following is a thorough overview of the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic ZR3, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was launched 4 years after the ZR3 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief overview of how the AW120 scores vs the ZR3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Panasonic ZR3

 AW120 ZR3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014January 2010Newer by 50 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Nikon AW120

 ZR3 AW120 

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic ZR3

 AW120 ZR3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon AW120 has got outside dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") having a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR3 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic ZR3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the AW120 versus the ZR3.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW120 and ZR3 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by looking through specifications. The picture below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the AW120 and ZR3.

To sum up, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Nikon AW120 to provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more recent AW120 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography factors
35
decent megapixels (16MP)
features face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
28
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography factors
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery (350 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
36
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Travel photography camera
69
better than average battery (350 per charge)
environment proofing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
64
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography information
48
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
better than average battery (350 shots)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
37
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon AW120
Vlogging with Panasonic ZR3
33
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
missing microphone support
29
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Panasonic ZR3
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix AW120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-02-07 2010-01-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine HD II
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 megapixel 14 megapixel
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
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.20 m 5.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 213 gr (0.47 pounds) 159 gr (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $350 $280