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Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ30W

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Samsung HZ30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ30W 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
  • Renewed by Nikon AW130
Samsung HZ30W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 245g - 107 x 61 x 28mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Also Known as WB600
Photography Glossary

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ30W Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Nikon AW120 versus Samsung HZ30W, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Samsung. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the AW120 (16MP) and HZ30W (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was brought out 4 years later than the HZ30W and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summation of how the AW120 scores versus the HZ30W in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Samsung HZ30W

 AW120 HZ30W 
ReleasedFebruary 2014January 2010Fresher by 50 months
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Nikon AW120

 HZ30W AW120 
Manually focus More exact focusing

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Samsung HZ30W

 AW120 HZ30W 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ30W Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and size. The Nikon AW120 comes with 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) while the Samsung HZ30W has specifications of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon AW120 versus Samsung HZ30W in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the AW120 compared to the HZ30W.

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ30W size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the AW120 and HZ30W is 92 and 91 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ30W top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ30W Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing simply by looking at technical specs. The graphic below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the AW120 and HZ30W.

As you have seen, both cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You should expect to see the Nikon AW120 to resolve extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The fresher AW120 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ30W sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon AW120
Portrait photography with Samsung HZ30W
35
good megapixels (16MP)
includes face detect focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
29
focusing manually
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Street photography camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Street photography camera
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 Sports photography info
Samsung HZ30W Sports photography info
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
great battery life (350 CIPA)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
42
incredible zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW120 Travel photography information
Samsung HZ30W Travel photography information
69
great battery life (350 per charge)
weather proofing
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competition (245g)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (360mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Landscape photography camera
48
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
weather proofing
great battery life (350 CIPA)
no manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
43
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon AW120
Vlogging with Samsung HZ30W
33
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of mic support
30
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
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Nikon AW120 vs Samsung HZ30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Samsung HZ30W
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Samsung HZ30W
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Samsung
Model Nikon Coolpix AW120 Samsung HZ30W
Also called as - WB600
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-02-07 2010-01-19
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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-360mm (15.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 16s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.20 m 5.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 213 gr (0.47 lb) 245 gr (0.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 SLB-11A
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD / SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $350 $280