Nikon L120 vs Nikon S5300
75 Imaging
37 Features
38 Overall
37


95 Imaging
40 Features
40 Overall
40
Nikon L120 vs Nikon S5300 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
- 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
- Launched February 2011
- Previous Model is Nikon L110
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 26-208mm (F3.7-6.6) lens
- 138g - 97 x 58 x 21mm
- Revealed January 2014

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S5300 Overview
In this write-up, we will be looking at the Nikon L120 vs Nikon S5300, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both sold by Nikon. The image resolution of the L120 (14MP) and the S5300 (16MP) is pretty similar and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The L120 was revealed 3 years before the S5300 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the L120 grades vs the S5300 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S5300 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix L120 and Nikon Coolpix S5300. The full galleries are available at Nikon L120 Gallery and Nikon S5300 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Nikon S5300
L120 | S5300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+461k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon S5300 over the Nikon L120
S5300 | L120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2014 | ![]() | February 2011 | Fresher by 35 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus |
Common features in the Nikon L120 and Nikon S5300
L120 | S5300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Nikon L120 vs Nikon S5300 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon L120 has exterior dimensions of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") having a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs) whilst the Nikon S5300 has measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 138 grams (0.30 lbs).
Examine the Nikon L120 vs Nikon S5300 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the L120 compared to the S5300.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the L120 and S5300 is 75 and 95 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S5300 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L120 and S5300.
All in all, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Nikon S5300 to offer more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots far more aggressively. The older L120 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S5300 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S5300 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L120 | Nikon Coolpix S5300 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Nikon |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L120 | Nikon Coolpix S5300 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2011-02-09 | 2014-01-07 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed C2 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Peak resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 99 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-525mm (21.0x) | 26-208mm (8.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-5.8 | f/3.7-6.6 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 921 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating | TFT-LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 4s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/1500s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 6.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 431 grams (0.95 pounds) | 138 grams (0.30 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") | 97 x 58 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 330 pictures | 180 pictures |
Battery type | AA | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 4 x AA | EN-EL19 |
Self timer | Yes (10 or 2 sec) | Yes (10 or 2 seconds) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at release | $300 | $180 |