Nikon AW120 vs Sony W730
92 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


96 Imaging
39 Features
33 Overall
36
Nikon AW120 vs Sony W730 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
- Replacement is Nikon AW130
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-224mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
- 122g - 93 x 52 x 22mm
- Announced January 2013

Nikon AW120 vs Sony W730 Overview
In this article, we will be evaluating the Nikon AW120 and Sony W730, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the W730 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The AW120 was unveiled 14 months later than the W730 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short highlight of how the AW120 scores versus the W730 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony W730 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix AW120 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730. The full galleries are provided at Nikon AW120 Gallery & Sony W730 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Sony W730
AW120 | W730 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2014 | ![]() | January 2013 | Fresher by 14 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W730 over the Nikon AW120
W730 | AW120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Sony W730
AW120 | W730 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Nikon AW120 vs Sony W730 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon AW120 comes with outside 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) while the Sony W730 has measurements of 93mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") with a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).
Check out the Nikon AW120 and Sony W730 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the AW120 versus the W730.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the AW120 and W730 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony W730 Sensor Comparison
Often, its tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing simply by seeing specs. The visual below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the AW120 and W730.
All in all, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of images although you really should take the age of the cameras into account. The more recent AW120 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony W730 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Sony W730 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 |
Type | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2014-02-07 | 2013-01-08 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 25-224mm (9.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.8-4.9 | f/3.3-6.3 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen resolution | 921k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | OLED monitor | TFT LCD display |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 2 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 7.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.20 m | 2.80 m |
Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 213 gr (0.47 pounds) | 122 gr (0.27 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") | 93 x 52 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" 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 photographs | 240 photographs |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL12 | NP-BN |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch cost | $350 | $138 |