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Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic LS5

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Nikon Coolpix AW130 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic LS5 Key Specs

Nikon AW130
(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
  • 221g - 110 x 66 x 27mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Older Model is Nikon AW120
Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Released July 2011
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Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic LS5 Overview

Here is a in-depth review of the Nikon AW130 and Panasonic LS5, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the AW130 (16MP) and the LS5 (14MP) is fairly close and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The AW130 was unveiled 3 years later than the LS5 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the AW130 matches up against the LS5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW130 over the Panasonic LS5

 AW130 LS5 
ReleasedFebruary 2015July 2011Fresher by 44 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Nikon AW130

 LS5 AW130 

Common features in the Nikon AW130 and Panasonic LS5

 AW130 LS5 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon AW130 enjoys external measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Panasonic LS5 has measurements of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Look at the Nikon AW130 and Panasonic LS5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the AW130 vs the LS5.

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic LS5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the AW130 and LS5 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic LS5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by viewing specs. The photograph here might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the AW130 and LS5.

All in all, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Nikon AW130 to provide you with more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The more modern AW130 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic LS5 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon AW130
Portrait photography with Panasonic LS5
35
good megapixels (16MP)
offers face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
33
decent MP (14 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon AW130
Street photography with Panasonic LS5
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW130 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic LS5 Sports photography highlights
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery power (370 shots)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
32
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (160 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW130 Travel photography advice
Panasonic LS5 Travel photography advice
72
good battery power (370 CIPA)
environment proofing
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (160 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW130 Landscape photography features
Panasonic LS5 Landscape photography features
50
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
environment proofing
good battery power (370 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
36
reasonably wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery power (160 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW130 Vlogging information
Panasonic LS5 Vlogging information
33
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone socket
32
reasonably wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone support
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Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW130 and Panasonic LS5
 Nikon Coolpix AW130Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW130 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2015-02-10 2011-07-21
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 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m (at Auto ISO) 4.60 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i ,50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 221 grams (0.49 lbs) 126 grams (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 370 photographs 160 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID EN-EL12 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $398 $294