Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FH27
75 Imaging
37 Features
38 Overall
37


94 Imaging
38 Features
34 Overall
36
Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FH27 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
- 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
- Released February 2011
- Replaced the Nikon L110
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 152g - 99 x 57 x 28mm
- Revealed January 2011

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FH27 Overview
In this write-up, we will be matching up the Nikon L120 and Panasonic FH27, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the L120 (14MP) and the FH27 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The L120 was unveiled 2 months later than the FH27 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the L120 scores vs the FH27 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FH27 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix L120 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27. The full galleries are provided at Nikon L120 Gallery and Panasonic FH27 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Panasonic FH27
L120 | FH27 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH27 over the Nikon L120
FH27 | L120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Nikon L120 and Panasonic FH27
L120 | FH27 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2011 | ![]() | January 2011 | Similar generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen |
Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FH27 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to lug around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L120 features outer dimensions of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") with a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH27 has dimensions of 99mm x 57mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs).
Check the Nikon L120 and Panasonic FH27 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the L120 against the FH27.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the L120 and FH27 is 75 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FH27 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is hard to picture the gap between sensor measurements only by checking technical specs. The visual here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the L120 and FH27.
As you can tell, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic FH27 to give you greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FH27 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FH27 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L120 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix L120 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2011-02-09 | 2011-01-05 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed C2 | Venus Engine VI |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Highest Possible resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-525mm (21.0x) | 28-224mm (8.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-5.8 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 921k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating | TFT Touch Screen LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 seconds | 60 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per second | 4.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.00 m | 5.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 431 gr (0.95 pounds) | 152 gr (0.34 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") | 99 x 57 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 250 photos |
Style of battery | AA | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 4 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (10 or 2 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $300 | $229 |