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Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Nikon AW120
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Replaced the Nikon AW110
  • Replacement is Nikon AW130
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX10V
  • New Model is Sony HX30V
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Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX20V Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Nikon AW120 versus Sony HX20V, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was announced 19 months after the HX20V which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise view of how the AW120 scores vs the HX20V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Sony HX20V

 AW120 HX20V 
ReleasedFebruary 2014July 2012More modern by 19 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Nikon AW120

 HX20V AW120 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen resolution922k921kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Sony HX20V

 AW120 HX20V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon AW120 has physical 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 Sony HX20V has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon AW120 versus Sony HX20V in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the AW120 and the HX20V.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW120 and HX20V is 92 and 90 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading specs. The pic below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW120 and HX20V.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sony HX20V to offer more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher AW120 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Portrait photography camera
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
45
you can focus manually
good resolution (18 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography highlights
Sony HX20V Street photography highlights
62
image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon AW120
Sports photography with Sony HX20V
51
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery (350 CIPA)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon AW120
Travel photography with Sony HX20V
69
great battery (350 CIPA)
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX20V Landscape photography highlights
48
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
environment sealing
great battery (350 per charge)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
50
you can focus manually
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging information
Sony HX20V Vlogging information
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic port
34
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone support
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Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Sony HX20V
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2014-02-07 2012-07-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-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 16MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech OLED monitor XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 7.10 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB 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), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 213 gr (0.47 lb) 254 gr (0.56 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 photographs 320 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 NP-BG1
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $350 $397