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Nikon AW120 vs Sony S950

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Nikon AW120 vs Sony S950 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
  • Launched February 2014
  • Superseded the Nikon AW110
  • New Model is Nikon AW130
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Nikon AW120 vs Sony S950 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Nikon AW120 versus Sony S950, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the AW120 (16MP) and S950 (10MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was revealed 5 years later than the S950 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the AW120 matches up vs the S950 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Sony S950

 AW120 S950 
LaunchedFebruary 2014February 2009Fresher by 61 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Nikon AW120

 S950 AW120 
Manually focus More precise focus

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Sony S950

 AW120 S950 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Nikon AW120 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon AW120 enjoys exterior measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") along with a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Sony S950 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Nikon AW120 versus Sony S950 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the AW120 compared to the S950.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the AW120 and S950 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing specifications. The photograph underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the AW120 and S950.

To sum up, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Nikon AW120 to deliver extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The newer AW120 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon AW120
Portrait photography with Sony S950
35
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
26
you can focus manually
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography info
Sony S950 Street photography info
62
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 Sports photography features
Sony S950 Sports photography features
51
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
good battery (350 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
24
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW120 Travel photography details
Sony S950 Travel photography details
69
good battery (350 CIPA)
environment proofing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
50
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S950 as a Landscape photography camera
48
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
environment proofing
good battery (350 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
31
you can focus manually
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon AW120
Vlogging with Sony S950
33
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon AW120 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Sony S950
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-02-07 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 16MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 3.50 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
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 -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 213g (0.47 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD / SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $350 $130