Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3
91 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41


96 Imaging
39 Features
29 Overall
35
Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3 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
- 221g - 110 x 66 x 27mm
- Introduced February 2015
- Replaced the Nikon AW120
(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

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").

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.

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix AW130 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3. The whole galleries are viewable at Nikon AW130 Gallery & Panasonic SZ3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW130 over the Panasonic SZ3
AW130 | SZ3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2015 | ![]() | January 2013 | Newer by 26 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW130 | Panasonic 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 |