Nikon L120
- 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
- Revealed February 2011
- Superseded the Nikon L110
- Read full specs
- Alternatives
- Size Comparison
- FAQ
75 Imaging
37 Features
38 Overall
37
Nikon L120 summary
Nikon L120 is Nikon's Small Sensor Superzoom camera first released on February of 2011. It features a 14 MegaPixel, CCD 1/2.3" sized sensor and has a max resolution of 4320 x 3240.
Nikon brought out this camera in an effort to update the earlier Nikon L110 (Read Full Comparison)
The L120 places at #182 out of 244 in Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and overall #841 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our database. You should use our Advanced camera filter to find camera results based on your personalized requirements.
Below is a chart of various factors used in the rating system.
Nikon L120 family
The Nikon L120 comes with a history of related digital cameras. Below, you can discover all previous and brand new models as well as important specs.
F3.1-5.814MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon L120 Gallery
You can check the L120 from various angles in the gallery below.
Nikon L120 Pros and Cons
Below is a collection of upsides and downsides of the Nikon L120 based on things that are normally considered necessary in a camera.
Nikon L120 Sensor details
The Nikon L120 is run by the Expeed C2 processor chip. The sensor dimension in the Nikon L120 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor is able to capture 4320 x 3240 pixels and aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9. The camera has got Image Stabilization (Sensor-shift). In body stabilization is more desirable than digital stabilization as the latter may cause cropping.
Photography GlossaryThe CCD sensor boasts 14MP and includes a native ISO range of 80 - 6400. Sadly, RAW format is not supported which means that the user has less margin for error.
The picture below illustrates the L120's sensor dimensions when compared to other common sizes. The L120 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is outlined in green.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoTo get a sense of various aspect ratios, you should refer to the visual below.
Nikon L120 dimensions
Nikon L120 weighs around 0.95 lb (431 gr or 15.20 oz) and the measurement of the camera is 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1"). The weight of typical Small Sensor Superzoom camera is 387 gr so the Nikon L120 is heavier when compared to other competitors.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsBelow is a visual of the Nikon L120 with a soda so you can have a sense of its scale.
The top view below will show the button arrangement on the L120.
Nikon L120 Lens specs
The L120 includes a built-in lens featuring a focal range of 25-525mm making it a 21.0 x zoom which is very good and would enable you to zoom right in.
At the widest 25mm, the lens provides an aperture of f3.1 and that is kind of slow and not very good in low light conditions and you will likely find it difficult to capture good bokeh. You will probably also need to boost the ISO giving you noisy pictures. With the tele end, 525mm is great zoom and comes to f5.8 which is pretty slow and you will need to use slow shutter speeds.
Nikon L120 Connectivity
The L120 has the following connectivity:
- USB Yes
- HDMI Yes
Digital cameras that come with NFC and / or Bluetooth compatibility can easily be used wirelessly via smartphones. You can easily send pictures and sometimes change settings with no need to connect physically to the camera.
Many applications even enable a Liveview and hit the shutter in case you are not near the camera. If the camera boasts a HDMI out, it could be hooked up to an external monitor. The majority of cameras will allow you to recharge the battery pack using the USB socket.
Nikon L120 Video specs
The max video resolution in the Nikon L120 is 1280 x 720 and it can shoot in Motion JPEG format. 720p is awful by today's requirements. You should really shoot for a minimum FUll HD resolution for good video. The camera does not have a mic and / or headphone socket which means you have got little control over your sound. It is perhaps a better idea to take a look at an alternative camera in case you require better sound in your video clips.
Nikon L120 Weather Sealing
Nikon L120 does not include environment sealing so wet conditions could affect the camera.
Nikon L120 Display and Viewfinder
The Nikon L120 features a 3" fixed display screen supporting a resolution of 921k dots.
Sadly the display screen is not a touch screen.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe View Finder specs regarding Nikon L120 are below:
- ViewFinder None
Viewfinders are quite handy during bright outdoor situations which can easily make the camera display washed out and difficult to view.
Nikon L120 Shutter specs
Nikon L120 continuous shooting speed is 1.0 frames per second. The maximum shutter speed is 1/4000 sec.
Nikon L120 Flash and Hot shoe specs
Nikon L120 has got only built-in flash without external flash support.
Nikon L120 Autofocusing specs
Nikon L120 has got just Contrast Based Auto Focus and doesn't have Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection focusing is a lot snappier and precise when compared to Contrast Based focusing. The camera features Face detect which is handy for portrait photography.
It features 9 focus points to select from. It also features Tracking Auto Focus for moving objects. Nikon L120 doesn't have manual focusing. Manual focusing ability is useful during low light scenarios or you want more precise control on focusing.
Nikon L120 Battery life
The battery pack (4 x AA) for the Nikon L120 is made to last for 330 shots as per the CIPA benchmarks making it about the same as its rivals. The usual Small Sensor Superzoom camera battery life is 316. Fujifilm HS35EXR offers the maximum (600) battery life within this range of cameras.
Below is a listing of Small Sensor Superzoom cameras with the strongest battery life:
Nikon L120 for various forms of photography
The following illustration indicates a summary of the Nikon L120 for various forms of photography. To learn more, scroll to the specific paragraph below.
Nikon L120 Portrait photography information
The Nikon L120 has a score of 33 which is horrible, meaning that it is not acceptable to use for portrait photos. Shooting portraits leans heavily to sensor dimensions, RAW support & ability to utilize external flash.
Nikon L120 Street photography advice
Coming in at a modest points total of 48, the Nikon L120 is reasonably suitable to buy for street photography. A very good street photography camera provides a fine balance of image quality and portability.
Nikon L120 Sports photography advice
A horrible sports photography points tally of 43 indicates the Nikon L120 is not acceptable for photographing sports. A camera should have very good autofocus and shutter speeds for sports photography.
Travel photography with Nikon L120
Size is really important in choosing a travel camera. In general, the Nikon L120 gets a reasonable 60 for a travel camera which makes it somewhat suitable to purchase for your vacations.
Nikon L120 as a Landscape photography camera
When you're looking to choose a camera for landscape pictures, the most significant aspect will no doubt be image quality. The Nikon L120 at it's horrible grade of 40 for a landscape camera is not acceptable among it's rivals.
Nikon L120 Vlogging advice
A vlogging camera ought to have a moving display, mic port and if possible image stabilization. Taking all things into account, the Nikon L120 is not acceptable as a vlog camera as it receives a horrible rating of 27.
Nikon L120 Alternatives
If you are in the market for replacements to the L120, here is a list of the top ranked cameras that fall into the family of Small Sensor Superzoom.
The chart here offers you an overview of the L120 versus it's highest ranked competitors listed above.
There are more cameras you may view as alternatives. To go through a full comparison, visit the "compare" link.