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Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW130 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic S2 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
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Old Model is Nikon AW120
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Nikon AW130 versus Panasonic S2, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the AW130 (16MP) and the S2 (14MP) is very well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The AW130 was released 3 years later than the S2 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the AW130 scores vs the S2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW130 over the Panasonic S2

 AW130 S2 
RevealedFebruary 2015January 2012More recent by 38 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Nikon AW130

 S2 AW130 

Common features in the Nikon AW130 and Panasonic S2

 AW130 S2 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon AW130 has got outer dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Panasonic S2 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon AW130 versus Panasonic S2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the AW130 versus the S2.

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the AW130 and S2 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements only by looking at technical specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW130 and S2.

As you have seen, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon AW130 to give you more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The younger AW130 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon AW130
Portrait photography with Panasonic S2
36
good resolution (16MP)
offers face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
decent MP (14MP)
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW130 Street photography info
Panasonic S2 Street photography info
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (112g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW130 Sports photography information
Panasonic S2 Sports photography information
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery (370 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
good battery power (280 CIPA)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW130 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Travel photography camera
73
better than average battery (370 shots)
environment proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
71
good battery power (280 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (112g)
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW130 Landscape photography details
Panasonic S2 Landscape photography details
50
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
environment proofing
better than average battery (370 CIPA)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
41
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
good battery power (280 per charge)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW130 Vlogging info
Panasonic S2 Vlogging info
33
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic support
33
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (112g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
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Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW130 and Panasonic S2
 Nikon Coolpix AW130Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix AW130 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2015-02-10 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.20 m (at Auto ISO) 3.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 221 grams (0.49 lbs) 112 grams (0.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 370 images 280 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $398 $109