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Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX50

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX50 Key Specs

Nikon AW120
(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
  • Released February 2014
  • Older Model is Nikon AW110
  • Newer Model is Nikon AW130
Sony WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX50 Overview

Following is a thorough comparison of the Nikon AW120 versus Sony WX50, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the AW120 (16MP) and the WX50 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The AW120 was unveiled 2 years after the WX50 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise view of how the AW120 grades versus the WX50 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Sony WX50

 AW120 WX50 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014January 2012More modern by 25 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k461kCrisper screen (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Nikon AW120

 WX50 AW120 

Common features in the Nikon AW120 and Sony WX50

 AW120 WX50 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon AW120 enjoys outside dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") and a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Sony WX50 has dimensions of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check the Nikon AW120 versus Sony WX50 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the AW120 versus the WX50.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the AW120 and WX50 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to see the gap between sensor sizes simply by reviewing technical specs. The pic here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW120 and WX50.

As you can tell, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of files although you should really consider the age of the products into consideration. The younger AW120 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW120 Portrait photography info
Sony WX50 Portrait photography info
35
good MP (16MP)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
34
MP count good (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW120 as a Street photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Street photography camera
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW120 Sports photography highlights
Sony WX50 Sports photography highlights
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
great battery (350 per charge)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
44
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW120 Travel photography features
Sony WX50 Travel photography features
69
great battery (350 shots)
environment sealing
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon AW120
Landscape photography with Sony WX50
48
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
environment sealing
great battery (350 shots)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
38
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW120 Vlogging advice
Sony WX50 Vlogging advice
33
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic socket
35
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (117g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic support
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Nikon AW120 vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW120 and Sony WX50
 Nikon Coolpix AW120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-02-07 2012-01-30
Physical type 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology OLED monitor Clearfoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 5.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 213g (0.47 lbs) 117g (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 shots 240 shots
Battery style 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 Single Single
Retail cost $350 $250