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Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Nikon Coolpix AW130 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
29
Overall
35

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Nikon AW130
(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
  • 221g - 110 x 66 x 27mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Replaced the Nikon AW120
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the AW130 (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The AW130 was announced 2 years after the SZ3 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the AW130 matches up vs the SZ3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon AW130 over the Panasonic SZ3

 AW130 SZ3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015January 2013Newer by 26 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Nikon AW130

 SZ3 AW130 

Common features in the Nikon AW130 and Panasonic SZ3

 AW130 SZ3 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon AW130 comes with 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) whilst the Panasonic SZ3 has measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the AW130 versus the SZ3.

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the AW130 and SZ3 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions merely by looking at technical specs. The pic below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the AW130 and SZ3.

As you can tell, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact MP so you can expect similar quality of files but you might want to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The more modern AW130 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW130 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography highlights
35
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
30
good resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW130 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW130 Sports photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography advice
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
great battery life (370 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
features tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW130 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography highlights
72
great battery life (370 shots)
environment proof
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than others (126g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon AW130
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ3
50
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
environment proof
great battery life (370 CIPA)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
38
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW130 Vlogging features
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging features
33
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic jack
31
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW130 and Panasonic SZ3
 Nikon Coolpix AW130Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix AW130 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2015-02-10 2013-01-07
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 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m (at Auto ISO) 4.10 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
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") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photos 250 photos
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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $398 $150