Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX5
92 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


92 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX5 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed February 2014
- Superseded the Nikon AW110
- Refreshed by Nikon AW130
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Launched June 2010

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX5 Overview
Below is a extensive overview of the Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX5, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the AW120 (16MP) and HX5 (10MP) and the AW120 (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") use different sensor measurements.

The AW120 was introduced 3 years later than the HX5 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the AW120 grades against the HX5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX5 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix AW120 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The whole galleries are viewable at Nikon AW120 Gallery & Sony HX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Sony HX5
AW120 | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2014 | ![]() | June 2010 | More recent by 45 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Nikon AW120
HX5 | AW120 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Sony HX5
AW120 | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to lug around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon AW120 enjoys outer dimensions 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 Sony HX5 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the AW120 versus the HX5.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the AW120 and HX5 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading through specs. The photograph here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW120 and HX5.
As you can plainly see, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The AW120 using its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Nikon AW120 will resolve extra detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher AW120 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX5 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 |
Class | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2014-02-07 | 2010-06-16 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.4" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3456 x 2592 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 125 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-4.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 921k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | OLED monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.20 m | 3.80 m |
Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
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 | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
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 | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 213 grams (0.47 lbs) | 200 grams (0.44 lbs) |
Dimensions | 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") | 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
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 images | - |
Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | EN-EL12 | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD / SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $350 | $275 |