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Nikon L120 vs Sony G3

Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Nikon L120 vs Sony G3 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
  • Announced February 2011
  • Older Model is Nikon L110
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
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Nikon L120 vs Sony G3 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Nikon L120 vs Sony G3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the L120 (14MP) and G3 (10MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The L120 was introduced 2 years after the G3 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short introduction of how the L120 scores vs the G3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Sony G3

 L120 G3 
ReleasedFebruary 2011January 2009Newer by 26 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Nikon L120

 G3 L120 
Manually focus More exact focus
Display size3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon L120 and Sony G3

 L120 G3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution921k921kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon L120 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L120 features exterior measurements of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") along with a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs) while the Sony G3 has dimensions of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon L120 vs Sony G3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the L120 vs the G3.

Nikon L120 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the L120 and G3 is 75 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L120 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading technical specs. The pic below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the L120 and G3.

As you can tell, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Nikon L120 to deliver greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The younger L120 is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon L120 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Nikon L120 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L120 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony G3 as a Portrait photography camera
33
MP count good (14MP)
includes face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
26
focusing manually
no manual control
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L120
Street photography with Sony G3
48
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Sports photography camera
Sony G3 as a Sports photography camera
43
excellent zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
includes tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
23
image stabilization (Optical)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L120
Travel photography with Sony G3
60
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (525mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
50
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L120 Landscape photography features
Sony G3 Landscape photography features
40
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
36
focusing manually
big screen (3.5 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 Vlogging factors
Sony G3 Vlogging factors
27
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic jack
27
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external mic jack
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Nikon L120 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L120 and Sony G3
 Nikon Coolpix L120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-02-09 2009-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-525mm (21.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3.5"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 1 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 grams (0.95 lb) 185 grams (0.41 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
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 images -
Battery format AA -
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 Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $300 $200