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Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30

Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30 Key Specs

Nikon L120
(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
  • Launched February 2011
  • Earlier Model is Nikon L110
Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Old Model is Panasonic LZ20
  • Newer Model is Panasonic LZ40
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Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the L120 (14MP) and the LZ30 (16MP) is pretty similar and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The L120 was revealed 23 months before the LZ30 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon L120 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summation of how the L120 scores vs the LZ30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Panasonic LZ30

 L120 LZ30 
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Nikon L120

 LZ30 L120 
LaunchedJanuary 2013February 2011More modern by 23 months

Common features in the Nikon L120 and Panasonic LZ30

 L120 LZ30 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon L120 has external measurements 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 Panasonic LZ30 has measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") and a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

Compare the Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the L120 and the LZ30.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the L120 and LZ30 is 75 and 66 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizes merely by going over a spec sheet. The image here might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the L120 and LZ30.

As you can see, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Panasonic LZ30 to deliver more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged L120 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30 sensor size comparison

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LZ30 as a Portrait photography camera
33
resolution is good (14MP)
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
32
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L120 Street photography information
Panasonic LZ30 Street photography information
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
43
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competition (552 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L120
Sports photography with Panasonic LZ30
43
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
47
great zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L120
Travel photography with Panasonic LZ30
60
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (525mm)
no Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
56
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (875mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (552 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L120 Landscape photography info
Panasonic LZ30 Landscape photography info
40
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
45
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
better than average battery life (380 shots)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 Vlogging factors
Panasonic LZ30 Vlogging factors
27
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
22
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
heavier than competition (552 grams)
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Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L120 and Panasonic LZ30
 Nikon Coolpix L120Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix L120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-02-09 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
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 support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-525mm (21.0x) 25-875mm (35.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.0-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 4.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 431g (0.95 lbs) 552g (1.22 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6")
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 pictures 380 pictures
Type of battery AA AA
Battery ID 4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 0r 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $300 $230