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Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42
Nikon Coolpix AW130 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ5 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
  • Announced February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Nikon AW120
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released July 2012
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Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ5, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the AW130 (16MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is very well matched and they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The AW130 was revealed 2 years after the SZ5 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a quick summary of how the AW130 grades vs the SZ5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW130 over the Panasonic SZ5

 AW130 SZ5 
ReleasedFebruary 2015July 2012More modern by 32 months
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Nikon AW130

 SZ5 AW130 

Common features in the Nikon AW130 and Panasonic SZ5

 AW130 SZ5 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon AW130 offers outside dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ5 has proportions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the AW130 and the SZ5.

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the AW130 and SZ5 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes purely by checking technical specs. The pic underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the AW130 and SZ5.

As you can tell, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon AW130 to give you greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The newer AW130 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW130 Portrait photography details
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography details
36
decent megapixels (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
34
MP count good (14MP)
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW130 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Street photography camera
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW130 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Sports photography camera
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
great battery (370 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW130 Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography advice
73
great battery (370 per charge)
environment sealing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than average in class (136g)
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW130 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography info
50
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
great battery (370 CIPA)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
42
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW130 Vlogging details
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging details
33
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone jack
32
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (136g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
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Nikon AW130 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW130 and Panasonic SZ5
 Nikon Coolpix AW130Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW130 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2015-02-10 2012-07-18
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m (at Auto ISO) 5.60 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
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 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 gr (0.49 lbs) 136 gr (0.30 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 66 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 images 250 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $398 $195