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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS50 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 ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS45
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS60
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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

Below is a detailed overview of the Nikon AW120 versus Panasonic ZS50, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the AW120 (16MP) and ZS50 (12MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was brought out 11 months earlier than the ZS50 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a short highlight of how the AW120 grades vs the ZS50 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Panasonic ZS50

 AW120 ZS50 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Nikon AW120

 ZS50 AW120 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015February 2014More recent by 11 months
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen resolution1040k921kCrisper screen (+119k dot)

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Panasonic ZS50

 AW120 ZS50 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon AW120 provides outer measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") with a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS50 has sizing of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Look at the Nikon AW120 versus Panasonic ZS50 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the AW120 compared to the ZS50.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the AW120 and ZS50 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements merely by checking out specifications. The photograph below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the AW120 and ZS50.

To sum up, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Nikon AW120 to provide extra detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The older AW120 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon AW120
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS50
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
42
manual focus
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography details
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (243g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography details
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery (350 CIPA)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
43
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW120 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography advice
69
great battery (350 per charge)
environment proofing
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
66
lighter than competition in class (243g)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography details
48
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
great battery (350 shots)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
51
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging factors
33
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic jack
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (243 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone support
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Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Panasonic ZS50
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2014-02-07 2015-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 6.40 m
Flash options - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
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 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 213g (0.47 pounds) 243g (0.54 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 44
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 138
Other
Battery life 350 images 300 images
Type 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
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $350 $350