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Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX90V

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
63
Overall
51

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX90V 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
  • Succeeded the Nikon AW110
  • Renewed by Nikon AW130
Sony HX90V
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Sony HX90V

 AW120 HX90V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Nikon AW120

 HX90V AW120 
ReleasedApril 2015February 2014Fresher by 14 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Sony HX90V

 AW120 HX90V 
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution921k921kExact 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX90V size comparison

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

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX90V top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX90V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX90V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 Portrait photography info
Sony HX90V Portrait photography info
35
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
45
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography information
Sony HX90V Street photography information
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
69
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (245 grams)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 Sports photography factors
Sony HX90V Sports photography factors
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
great battery life (350 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
57
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (360 CIPA)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon AW120
Travel photography with Sony HX90V
69
great battery life (350 per charge)
weather proofing
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
76
better than average battery pack (360 per charge)
lighter than others (245g)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
missing Timelapse recording
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX90V as a Landscape photography camera
48
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
great battery life (350 shots)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
53
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (360 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging highlights
Sony HX90V Vlogging highlights
33
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
75
really wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (245 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
missing external microphone jack
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Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX90V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Sony HX90V
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Sony 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