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Nikon L120 vs Sony WX500

Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
56
Overall
48

Nikon L120 vs Sony WX500 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
  • Released February 2011
  • Old Model is Nikon L110
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Launched April 2015
  • Replaced the Sony WX350
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Nikon L120 vs Sony WX500 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Nikon L120 vs Sony WX500, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the L120 (14MP) and WX500 (18MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The L120 was brought out 5 years before the WX500 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a short summation of how the L120 scores against the WX500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Sony WX500

 L120 WX500 

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Nikon L120

 WX500 L120 
LaunchedApril 2015February 2011More recent by 50 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon L120 and Sony WX500

 L120 WX500 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Display resolution921k921kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Nikon L120 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and size. The Nikon L120 has outside 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 WX500 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check out the Nikon L120 vs Sony WX500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the L120 versus the WX500.

Nikon L120 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the L120 and WX500 is 75 and 91 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L120 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor measurements just by going through specifications. The visual below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the L120 and WX500.

To sum up, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should anticipate the Sony WX500 to show more detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The older L120 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon L120 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Nikon L120 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L120 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L120
Portrait photography with Sony WX500
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
39
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon L120 Street photography info
Sony WX500 Street photography info
48
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
69
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (236g)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L120
Sports photography with Sony WX500
43
great zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
57
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery (360 CIPA)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L120 Travel photography advice
Sony WX500 Travel photography advice
60
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (525mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
71
better than average battery (360 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (236g)
resolution is good (18MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L120 Landscape photography factors
Sony WX500 Landscape photography factors
40
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
49
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
better than average battery (360 per charge)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L120
Vlogging with Sony WX500
27
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
35
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (236g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic jack
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Nikon L120 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L120 and Sony WX500
 Nikon Coolpix L120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix L120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-02-09 2015-04-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-525mm (21.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AEB
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 431 gr (0.95 lb) 236 gr (0.52 lb)
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 score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos 360 photos
Type of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $300 $348