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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS30 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 ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS35
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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Nikon AW120 versus Panasonic ZS30, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was unveiled 14 months after the ZS30 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a short summary of how the AW120 grades versus the ZS30 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Panasonic ZS30

 AW120 ZS30 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014January 2013Newer by 14 months
Screen resolution921k920kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Nikon AW120

 ZS30 AW120 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic ZS30

 AW120 ZS30 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon AW120 provides outside measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS30 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Compare the Nikon AW120 versus Panasonic ZS30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the AW120 compared to the ZS30.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW120 and ZS30 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by researching technical specs. The pic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the AW120 and ZS30.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can count on the Panasonic ZS30 to result in greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent AW120 should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Portrait photography camera
35
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
33
decent megapixels (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon AW120
Street photography with Panasonic ZS30
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
66
image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (198 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Sports photography camera
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
great battery power (350 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
46
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200 seconds)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (260 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
69
great battery power (350 per charge)
weather proof
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competitors in class (198 grams)
has touch to focus
decent megapixels (18MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (260 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography info
48
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
weather proof
great battery power (350 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
44
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery pack (260 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging information
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic support
35
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (198g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic jack
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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Panasonic ZS30
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-02-07 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1200s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 6.40 m
Flash options - 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 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 213 grams (0.47 lb) 198 grams (0.44 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 260 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $350 $250