Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FZ100
75 Imaging
37 Features
38 Overall
37


67 Imaging
37 Features
62 Overall
47
Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FZ100 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)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
- 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
- Released July 2010
- Later Model is Panasonic FZ200

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FZ100 Overview
Let's take a deeper look at the Nikon L120 versus Panasonic FZ100, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the L120 (14MP) and the FZ100 (14MP) is fairly similar and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The L120 was launched 7 months later than the FZ100 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon L120 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a brief overview of how the L120 grades vs the FZ100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FZ100 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix L120 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon L120 Gallery & Panasonic FZ100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Panasonic FZ100
L120 | FZ100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2011 | ![]() | July 2010 | Fresher by 7 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+461k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Nikon L120
FZ100 | L120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Nikon L120 and Panasonic FZ100
L120 | FZ100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurement |
Touch display | ![]() | Neither has Touch display |
Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FZ100 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Nikon L120 has external dimensions of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") and a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ100 has specifications of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon L120 versus Panasonic FZ100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the L120 compared to the FZ100.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L120 and FZ100 is 75 and 67 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FZ100 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading technical specs. The visual below might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the L120 and FZ100.
As you have seen, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of photographs though you would want to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The younger L120 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FZ100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic FZ100 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L120 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L120 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2011-02-09 | 2010-07-21 |
Body design | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed C2 | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
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 | 14MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-525mm (21.0x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.1-5.8 | f/2.8-5.2 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 921 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 60 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 11.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 6.00 m | 9.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 431g (0.95 lb) | 540g (1.19 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") | 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") |
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 | 330 pictures | - |
Form of battery | AA | - |
Battery model | 4 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (10 or 2 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $300 | $500 |