Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30
75 Imaging
37 Features
38 Overall
37


66 Imaging
39 Features
32 Overall
36
Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30 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
- Launched February 2011
- Earlier Model is Nikon L110
(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

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").

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.

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix L120 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30. The full galleries are available at Nikon L120 Gallery & Panasonic LZ30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Panasonic LZ30
L120 | LZ30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+461k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Nikon L120
LZ30 | L120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | February 2011 | More modern by 23 months |
Common features in the Nikon L120 and Panasonic LZ30
L120 | LZ30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 vs Panasonic LZ30 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L120 | Panasonic 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 |