Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX30
92 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


96 Imaging
39 Features
41 Overall
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Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX30 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-120mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
- 213g - 110 x 66 x 26mm
- Revealed February 2014
- Succeeded the Nikon AW110
- Refreshed by Nikon AW130
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
- 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
- Launched July 2011

Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX30 Overview
Lets look a bit more closely at the Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX30, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the WX30 (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The AW120 was brought out 2 years later than the WX30 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the AW120 grades versus the WX30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX30 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix AW120 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30. The entire galleries are available at Nikon AW120 Gallery and Sony WX30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Sony WX30
AW120 | WX30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2014 | ![]() | July 2011 | Fresher by 31 months |
Reasons to pick Sony WX30 over the Nikon AW120
WX30 | AW120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 921k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Sony WX30
AW120 | WX30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX30 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon AW120 comes with physical dimensions 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 WX30 has dimensions of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Compare the Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX30 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the AW120 against the WX30.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the AW120 and WX30 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX30 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing just by checking specifications. The visual below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW120 and WX30.
Plainly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical megapixels so you should expect similar quality of photos however you need to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The newer AW120 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX30 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix AW120 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 |
Class | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2014-02-07 | 2011-07-25 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
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 Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 25-125mm (5.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.8-4.9 | f/2.6-6.3 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 921k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | OLED monitor | XtraFine TFT LCD display |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.20 m | 3.70 m |
Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 213 gr (0.47 lbs) | 117 gr (0.26 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") | 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 250 photographs |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL12 | NP-BN1 |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $350 | $259 |