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Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ25W

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Samsung HZ25W front
Portability
70
Imaging
35
Features
32
Overall
33

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ25W 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
  • Earlier Model is Nikon AW110
  • Successor is Nikon AW130
Samsung HZ25W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 116 x 83 x 92mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Additionally referred to as WB5000
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Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ25W Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Nikon AW120 and Samsung HZ25W, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Samsung. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the AW120 (16MP) and HZ25W (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was revealed 3 years after the HZ25W which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the AW120 scores versus the HZ25W with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Samsung HZ25W

 AW120 HZ25W 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014July 2010More modern by 44 months
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ25W over the Nikon AW120

 HZ25W AW120 
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Samsung HZ25W

 AW120 HZ25W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ25W Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Nikon AW120 features outside dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") and a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Samsung HZ25W has specifications of 116mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Look at the Nikon AW120 and Samsung HZ25W in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the AW120 compared to the HZ25W.

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ25W size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the AW120 and HZ25W is 92 and 70 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ25W top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ25W Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by seeing technical specs. The pic here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW120 and HZ25W.

As you have seen, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Nikon AW120 to produce more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more recent AW120 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ25W sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ25W Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ25W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 Portrait photography details
Samsung HZ25W Portrait photography details
35
decent MP (16MP)
comes with face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
34
you can focus manually
saves RAW formats
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography info
Samsung HZ25W Street photography info
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 Sports photography advice
Samsung HZ25W Sports photography advice
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery power (350 per charge)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
34
amazing zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon AW120
Travel photography with Samsung HZ25W
69
better than average battery power (350 shots)
environment sealing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
52
flash built-in
reasonably wide (26mm)
very long reach (624mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ25W as a Landscape photography camera
48
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
environment sealing
better than average battery power (350 shots)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
43
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging details
Samsung HZ25W Vlogging details
33
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone port
24
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic socket
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Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ25W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Samsung HZ25W
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Samsung HZ25W
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Samsung
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW120 Samsung HZ25W
Also Known as - WB5000
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-02-07 2010-07-06
Physical type 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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 26-624mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 16 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 5.60 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 213 gr (0.47 lbs) 428 gr (0.94 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 116 x 83 x 92mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD / SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $350 $350