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Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX9V

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX9V 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
  • Earlier Model is Nikon AW110
  • New Model is Nikon AW130
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX9V Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Nikon AW120 and Sony HX9V, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the HX9V (16MP) is relatively close and they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was manufactured 2 years after the HX9V which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the AW120 matches up against the HX9V for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Sony HX9V

 AW120 HX9V 
IntroducedFebruary 2014July 2011Newer by 32 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Nikon AW120

 HX9V AW120 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Sony HX9V

 AW120 HX9V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Screen resolution921k921kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon AW120 has external dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Sony HX9V has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Look at the Nikon AW120 and Sony HX9V in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the AW120 and the HX9V.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the AW120 and HX9V is 92 and 91 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by viewing technical specs. The image underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the AW120 and HX9V.

As you have seen, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact MP so you can expect comparable quality of photos however you have to take the launch date of the cameras into account. The more modern AW120 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 Portrait photography info
Sony HX9V Portrait photography info
35
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
39
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon AW120
Street photography with Sony HX9V
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Sports photography camera
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery pack (350 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
44
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Travel photography camera
69
good battery pack (350 CIPA)
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition (245g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Landscape photography camera
48
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
weather proofing
good battery pack (350 per charge)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
49
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon AW120
Vlogging with Sony HX9V
33
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
33
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic jack
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Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Sony HX9V
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-02-07 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology OLED monitor XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 4.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 213 gr (0.47 pounds) 245 gr (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 NP-BG1
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $350 $328