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Nikon AW130 vs Nikon AW120 Comparison

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Nikon AW130

16 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CMOS Sensor

Nikon AW130
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Nikon AW120

16 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CMOS Sensor

Nikon AW120
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Nikon AW130 vs Nikon AW120 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing AW130 and AW120, two Waterproof cameras by Nikon. Nikon AW130 was introduced to market in February 2015 and Nikon AW120 was launched in February 2014. There is 12 months difference between AW130 and AW120 so we don't expect to see a huge technology difference between these two cameras but it would still give an advantage to younger AW130, especially in sensor tech.

AW130 and AW120 are members of Nikon's AW series of cameras. Below you can find the latest models from this series.

Nikon AW Series History
Model Release Date Sensor Max FPS Dimensions Weight
Nikon AW130
2015 16.0MP - 1/2.3' 7.0 fps 110 x 66 x 27mm 221g
Nikon AW120
2014 16.0MP - 1/2.3-inch 7.0 fps 110 x 66 x 26mm 213g
Nikon AW110
  
2013 16.0MP - 1/2.3-inch 8.0 fps 110 x 65 x 25mm 193g
Nikon AW100
  
2011 16.0MP - 1/2.3-inch 3.0 fps 110 x 65 x 23mm 178g

Here is a brief look at the main features of Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120 before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Nikon AW130 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2015-02-10
  • 16MP - 1/2.3' CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 24-120 mm F2.8-4.9 Zoom Lens
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3.00" Fixed Type Screen
  • 7.0fps continuous shooting
  • Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution
  • Built-in Wireless
  • Built-in GPS
  • 221g. 110 x 66 x 27 mm
  • Weather Sealed Body
  • Replaced Nikon Coolpix AW120 Compare

Nikon AW120 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2014-02-07
  • 16MP - 1/2.3-inch CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 24-120 mm F2.8-4.9 Zoom Lens
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3.00" Fixed Type Screen
  • 7.0fps continuous shooting
  • Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution
  • 240fps High-Speed Video
  • Built-in Wireless
  • Built-in GPS
  • 213g. 110 x 66 x 26 mm
  • Weather Sealed Body
  • Replaced Nikon Coolpix AW110 Compare

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120 compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.


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Reasons to choose Nikon Coolpix AW130 over Nikon Coolpix AW120
Battery Life
370 shots vs 350 shots 20 more frames with a single charge
Timelapse Recording
Yes vs No creative shooting
CHECK AW130 PRICE


Reasons to choose Nikon Coolpix AW120 over Nikon Coolpix AW130
Weight
213 g vs 221 g 8 g lighter
CHECK AW120 PRICE

Common Strengths of Nikon Coolpix AW130 and Nikon Coolpix AW120
Wireless Connection
Yes vs Yes Better connectivity
Image Stabilization
Optical vs Optical Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Built-in Flash
Yes vs Yes Useful in low-light
GPS
Built-in vs Built-in track your location
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs Yes very handy for portraits
LCD Screen Resolution
921k dots vs 921k dots High resolution screens
Continuous Shooting
7.0fps vs 7.0fps Fast shooting speeds
Environmental Sealing
Yes vs Yes shoot at tough conditions
Focal Length - Wide
24mm vs 24mm Very good wide angle coverage
Smartphone Remote
Yes vs Yes Remote control your camera with a smartphone
Common Weaknesses of Nikon Coolpix AW130 and Nikon Coolpix AW120
Fixed Screen
Fixed Type vs No No flexible viewing angles
External Flash Shoe
No vs No Not suitable for flash photography
Viewfinder
None vs None No eye-level shooting option
RAW Support
No vs No Lower image quality
Manual Focusing
No vs No No manual focusing modes
Manual Exposure
No vs No No manual exposure control
Nikon AW130 vs Nikon AW120: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Nikon AW130 has external dimensions of 110 x 66 x 27 mm (4.33 x 2.6 x 1.06″) and weighs 221 g (0.49 lb / 7.80 oz) (including batteries). Nikon AW120 has external dimensions of 110 x 66 x 26 mm (4.33 x 2.6 x 1.02″) and weighs 213 g (0.47 lb / 7.51 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120. Nikon AW130 has the same height and width with Nikon AW120. On the other hand, with a thickness of 27mm, it is 1mm thicker.

Nikon AW130 vs Nikon AW120 Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120 Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120.

Nikon AW130 vs Nikon AW120 Camera Size Comparison - Back View
Comparison image of Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120 Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120.
Nikon AW130 vs Nikon AW120 Camera Size Comparison - Top View
Top View Comparison image of Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120 Size

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Nikon AW120 is 8g lighter than the Nikon AW130 but we don't think this will make a significant difference.

Weight Comparison

Waterproof Cameras

AW130
AW120
Min
Average
Max
Thickness Comparison

Waterproof Cameras

AW130
AW120
Min
Average
Max

Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120's LCD screens has the same diagonal size of 3.00".

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.
Nikon AW130 vs Nikon AW120: Sensor Comparison

Both Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120 have 16.0 MP resolution sensors but Nikon AW130's sensor is 1/2.3' (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) and Nikon AW120's sensor is 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ).

Since Nikon AW120's has a larger sensor area with the same resolution, this means that it also has a larger pixel area hence better light collecting capacity for a given aperture compared to Nikon AW130.

Below you can see the AW130 and AW120 sensor size comparison.

Nikon AW130 vs Nikon AW120 Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120 Cameras


Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120 have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.

Nikon AW130 vs Nikon AW120 Lens Specs Comparison

Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120 features 24-120 mm F2.8-4.9 5× zoom lenses so they have the same focal range and light collecting ability.

Both cameras have a wide angle coverage of 24mm and have the same max aperture of f2.80 at this focal length. Both cameras have a tele angle reach of 120mm and have the same max aperture of f4.90 at this focal length.

Wide Coverage

Compact Cameras

AW130
AW120
Widest - Olympus TG-850 iHS
Average
Telezoom

Compact Cameras

AW130
AW120
Longest - Canon SX520 HS
Average
Max Aperture at Tele

Compact Cameras

AW130
AW120
Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV
Average
Max Aperture at Wide

Compact Cameras

AW130
AW120
Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6
Average
What types of Photography are Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120 Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120 for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Nikon AW130 for Portrait Photography

POOR

Nikon AW120 for Portrait Photography

POOR
Image Stabilization
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Nikon AW130 for Street Photography

AVERAGE

Nikon AW120 for Street Photography

AVERAGE
Image Stabilization
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Fast Lens at Wide: f2.80
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Fast Lens at Wide: f2.80
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details

Nikon AW130 for Sports Photography

POOR

Nikon AW120 for Sports Photography

POOR
Image Stabilization
Fast Continuous Shooting: 7.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
Wireless Connection
120 mm Tele Lens
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Focus Points
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Fast Continuous Shooting: 7.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
Wireless Connection
120 mm Tele Lens
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Unknown Focus Points
Read the details

Nikon AW130 for Daily Photography

AVERAGE

Nikon AW120 for Daily Photography

GOOD
Compact Body
Environmental Sealings
221g
5.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details
Compact Body
213g
Environmental Sealings
5.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

Nikon AW130 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Nikon AW120 for Landscape Photography

POOR
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Environmental Sealings
Built-in GPS
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Read the details
Environmental Sealings
Built-in GPS
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Read the details

Nikon AW130 vs Nikon AW120: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 69 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Nikon AW130 and Nikon AW120 scores compare:

Nikon AW130
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #156 out of 477 in Compact cameras
Ranked #715 out of 1244 in all Cameras
Nikon AW120
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #83 out of 477 in Compact cameras
Ranked #564 out of 1244 in all Cameras

Nikon AW120 has a higher Overall Score than the Nikon AW130 and would be our choice if we have to decide between these two cameras.

Nikon AW130
Nikon AW130
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CHECK PRICE

Nikon AW120
Nikon AW120
CHECK PRICE

CHECK PRICE

Nikon AW120 vs Nikon AW130 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Nikon Coolpix AW130 Nikon Coolpix AW120
Brand Nikon Nikon
Announced 2015-02-10 2014-02-07
Body Type Compact Compact
Sensor
Type CMOS CMOS
Size 1/2.3' 1/2.3-inch
Dimensions 6.17 x 4.55 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
Area 28.07mm2 28.07mm2
Megapixels 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Max Resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max Native Light sensitivity 6,400 ISO 6,400 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity 125 ISO 125 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points n/a n/a
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens Focal Range 24-120 mm (5×) 24-120 mm (5x)
Max Aperture F2.8-4.9 F2.8-4.9
Macro Focus Range 1cm 1cm
Screen
Type Fixed type Fixed type
Size 3.00" 3.00"
Resolution 921k dots 921k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder None None
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/4000s 1/4000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Built-in Image Stabilization Optical Optical
Built-in Flash
Flash Range 5.20 m (at Auto ISO) 5.20 m
External Flash
Continuous Shooting 7.0 fps 7.0 fps
Multi-Segment Metering
Average Metering
Spot Metering
Partial Metering
AF-Area Metering
Center Weighted Metering
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080
Video Formats MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity Built-In Built-In
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 221g 213g
Dimensions 110 x 66 x 27mm 110 x 66 x 26mm
Battery Life 370 shots 350 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS Built-in Built-in
DxO Sensor Scores
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