Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX90V
92 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


91 Imaging
43 Features
63 Overall
51
Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX90V 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
- Introduced February 2014
- Succeeded the Nikon AW110
- Renewed by Nikon AW130
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
- 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Released April 2015

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX90V Overview
Let's take a deeper look at the Nikon AW120 and Sony HX90V, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the HX90V (18MP) is very close and both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

The AW120 was introduced 14 months earlier than the HX90V making them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short overview of how the AW120 matches up vs the HX90V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX90V Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix AW120 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon AW120 Gallery and Sony HX90V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Sony HX90V
AW120 | HX90V |
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Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Nikon AW120
HX90V | AW120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2015 | ![]() | February 2014 | Fresher by 14 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Sony HX90V
AW120 | HX90V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display size |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Exact same display resolution |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | No Touch friendly display |
Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX90V Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon AW120 comes with exterior dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") having a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Sony HX90V has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon AW120 and Sony HX90V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the AW120 vs the HX90V.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the AW120 and HX90V is 92 and 91 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX90V Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing just by researching specs. The photograph here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the AW120 and HX90V.
As you can plainly see, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony HX90V to render extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The older AW120 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX90V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX90V Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V |
Class | Waterproof | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2014-02-07 | 2015-04-14 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz X |
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 | 16 megapixel | 18 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4896 x 3672 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.8-4.9 | f/3.5-6.4 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 921k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | OLED monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 638k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.5x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.20 m | 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | - | Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, XAVC S |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
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 gr (0.47 pounds) | 245 gr (0.54 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") | 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" 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 | 360 photographs |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL12 | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | - | Yes |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $350 | $440 |