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Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ15W 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
  • Launched February 2014
  • Previous Model is Nikon AW110
  • Updated by Nikon AW130
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as WB550
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Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ15W, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Samsung. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the AW120 (16MP) and HZ15W (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was released 5 years after the HZ15W which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the AW120 grades against the HZ15W in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Samsung HZ15W

 AW120 HZ15W 
ReleasedFebruary 2014February 2009More modern by 61 months
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Nikon AW120

 HZ15W AW120 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Samsung HZ15W

 AW120 HZ15W 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon AW120 has external dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") and a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Samsung HZ15W has dimensions of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ15W in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the AW120 vs the HZ15W.

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the AW120 and HZ15W is 92 and 90 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes merely by looking at specs. The picture here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW120 and HZ15W.

All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Nikon AW120 to give you extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The newer AW120 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 Portrait photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography advice
35
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
32
you can focus manually
provides face detection focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Street photography advice
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
53
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
heavier than others (249g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon AW120
Sports photography with Samsung HZ15W
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery pack (350 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW120 Travel photography factors
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography factors
69
great battery pack (350 CIPA)
weather proof
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (249 grams)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Landscape photography camera
48
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
weather proof
great battery pack (350 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
41
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging info
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging info
33
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone socket
29
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic jack
heavier than others (249 grams)
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Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Samsung HZ15W
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Brand Nikon Samsung
Model Nikon Coolpix AW120 Samsung HZ15W
Otherwise known as - WB550
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-02-07 2009-02-23
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 16 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.20 m 4.70 m
Flash modes - Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 213g (0.47 lb) 249g (0.55 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $350 $330