Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX9V
92 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


91 Imaging
39 Features
46 Overall
41
Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX9V 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
- Earlier Model is Nikon AW110
- New Model is Nikon AW130
(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

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").

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.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX9V Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix AW120 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon AW120 Gallery & Sony HX9V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Sony HX9V
AW120 | HX9V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2014 | ![]() | July 2011 | Newer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen size |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Identical 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Sony HX9V Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Sony 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 |