Nikon L120 vs Sony G3
75 Imaging
37 Features
38 Overall
37


94 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Nikon L120 vs Sony G3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Nikon L120 vs Sony G3 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix L120 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon L120 Gallery & Sony G3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Sony G3
L120 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2011 | ![]() | January 2009 | Newer by 26 months |
Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Nikon L120
G3 | L120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display size | 3.5" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Nikon L120 and Sony G3
L120 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Identical 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 vs Sony G3 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L120 | Sony 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 |