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Nikon AW120 vs Sony W730

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
33
Overall
37

Nikon AW120 vs Sony W730 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
  • Replacement is Nikon AW130
Sony W730
(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
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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").

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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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Sony W730

 AW120 W730 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014January 2013Fresher by 14 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony W730 size comparison

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

Nikon AW120 vs Sony W730 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Sony W730 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Sony W730 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 Portrait photography details
Sony W730 Portrait photography details
35
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 Street photography info
Sony W730 Street photography info
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus via touch
lighter than average (122 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 Sports photography information
Sony W730 Sports photography information
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery life (350 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W730 as a Travel photography camera
69
good battery life (350 per charge)
environment proofing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than average (122 grams)
boasts focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon AW120
Landscape photography with Sony W730
48
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
good battery life (350 CIPA)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
39
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging factors
Sony W730 Vlogging factors
33
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone port
34
rather wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
lighter than average (122g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
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Nikon AW120 vs Sony W730 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Sony W730
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Sony 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