Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS30
92 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


92 Imaging
43 Features
48 Overall
45
Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS30 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix AW120 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30. The full galleries are available at Nikon AW120 Gallery & Panasonic ZS30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Panasonic ZS30
AW120 | ZS30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2014 | ![]() | January 2013 | Newer by 14 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Panasonic 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 |