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Nikon L120 vs Sony HX80

Portability
75
Imaging
36
Features
38
Overall
36
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
60
Overall
49

Nikon L120 vs Sony HX80 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
  • Announced February 2011
  • Superseded the Nikon L110
Sony HX80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Released March 2016
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Nikon L120 vs Sony HX80 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Nikon L120 vs Sony HX80, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the L120 (14MP) and HX80 (18MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The L120 was launched 6 years prior to the HX80 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the L120 matches up versus the HX80 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Sony HX80

 L120 HX80 

Reasons to pick Sony HX80 over the Nikon L120

 HX80 L120 
ReleasedMarch 2016February 2011Fresher by 61 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon L120 and Sony HX80

 L120 HX80 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Screen resolution921k921kSame screen resolution
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon L120 vs Sony HX80 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon L120 has physical 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) whilst the Sony HX80 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Examine the Nikon L120 vs Sony HX80 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the L120 versus the HX80.

Nikon L120 vs Sony HX80 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L120 and HX80 is 75 and 91 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Sony HX80 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L120 vs Sony HX80 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizing simply by looking at technical specs. The graphic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the L120 and HX80.

As you can tell, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Sony HX80 to give extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older L120 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Nikon L120 vs Sony HX80 sensor size comparison

Nikon L120 vs Sony HX80 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L120 vs Sony HX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX80 as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent MP (14MP)
supports face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
39
good resolution (18MP)
features face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L120 Street photography highlights
Sony HX80 Street photography highlights
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
69
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (245 grams)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L120 Sports photography advice
Sony HX80 Sports photography advice
43
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
supports tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
57
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
features tracking autofocus
good battery (390 per charge)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX80 as a Travel photography camera
60
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (525mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
76
good battery (390 shots)
lighter than average (245 grams)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L120 Landscape photography information
Sony HX80 Landscape photography information
40
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
49
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
good battery (390 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 Vlogging advice
Sony HX80 Vlogging advice
27
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
75
quite wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (245 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of external microphone socket
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Nikon L120 vs Sony HX80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L120 and Sony HX80
 Nikon Coolpix L120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-02-09 2016-03-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max boosted ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-525mm (21.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, on, slow sync, off, rear sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 431 grams (0.95 lbs) 245 grams (0.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos 390 photos
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $300 $368