Clicky

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S9700

Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S9700 Key Specs

Nikon L120
(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
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Replaced the Nikon L110
Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Older Model is Nikon S9500
  • Replacement is Nikon S9900
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S9700 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Nikon L120 and Nikon S9700, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are built by Nikon. The resolution of the L120 (14MP) and the S9700 (16MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The L120 was released 4 years prior to the S9700 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the L120 grades vs the S9700 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Nikon S9700

 L120 S9700 

Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Nikon L120

 S9700 L120 
ReleasedFebruary 2014February 2011Fresher by 36 months

Common features in the Nikon L120 and Nikon S9700

 L120 S9700 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution921k921kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S9700 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon L120 has got outer dimensions of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") having a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs) while the Nikon S9700 has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs).

See the Nikon L120 and Nikon S9700 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the L120 compared to the S9700.

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S9700 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L120 and S9700 is 75 and 90 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S9700 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S9700 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizing purely by looking through specifications. The graphic underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the L120 and S9700.

To sum up, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Nikon S9700 to provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The older L120 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S9700 sensor size comparison

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S9700 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S9700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L120 Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S9700 Portrait photography highlights
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
37
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Nikon L120 Street photography info
Nikon S9700 Street photography info
48
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (232g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S9700 as a Sports photography camera
43
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
53
excellent zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
provides tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Nikon L120 Travel photography features
Nikon S9700 Travel photography features
60
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (525mm)
no Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition (232g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (750mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S9700 as a Landscape photography camera
40
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse function
45
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse function
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L120
Vlogging with Nikon S9700
27
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone jack
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (232 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Nikon L120 vs Nikon S9700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L120 and Nikon S9700
 Nikon Coolpix L120Nikon Coolpix S9700
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix L120 Nikon Coolpix S9700
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-02-09 2014-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 99
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-525mm (21.0x) 25-750mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.7-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (30/25p, 60/50i) 1280 x 720 (60/50/30/25/15/12.5p) 960 x 540 (30/25p) 640 x 480 (120/30/25p) 320 x 240 (240p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 431 gr (0.95 pounds) 232 gr (0.51 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
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 330 photos 300 photos
Form of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $300 $350