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Nikon L120 vs Nikon Df Comparison

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Nikon L120

14 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CCD Sensor

Nikon L120
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Nikon Df

16 MP | Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm) CMOS Sensor

Nikon Df
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Nikon L120 vs Nikon Df Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two Nikon cameras cameras with different body types: Nikon L120, which was introduced in February 2011 is a Small Sensor Superzoom camera with a 14.0MP 1/2.3-inch sensor whereas Nikon Df, which was introduced in December 2013 is a Advanced DSLR camera with a 16.0MP Full frame sensor. As you can see, L120 is 2 years older than Df. Let's see if this age difference between two cameras makes a big difference.

Comparing a DSLR camera to a Fixed Lens camera is not an easy task but we will do our best to make this a fair comparison.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Nikon L120 and Nikon Df before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Nikon L120 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2011-02-09
  • 14MP - 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 25-525 mm F3.1-5.8 Zoom Lens
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3.00" Fixed Type Screen
  • 1.0fps continuous shooting
  • HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution
  • 431g. 110 x 77 x 78 mm
  • Replaced Nikon Coolpix L110 Compare

Nikon Df Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2013-12-20
  • 16MP - Full frame CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 100 - 12800 ( expands to 50 - 204800)
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 3.20" Fixed Type Screen
  • Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder
  • 6.0fps continuous shooting
  • No Video Mode
  • 760g. 144 x 110 x 67 mm
  • Weather Sealed Body

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Nikon L120 and Nikon Df 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 L120 over Nikon Df
In-built Image Stabilization
Sensor-shift vs None Sharper images at longer focal lengths and slow shutter speeds
Built-in Flash
Yes vs No Useful in low-light
Internal Storage
102 MB vs None Extra built-in storage
Weight
431 g vs 760 g 329 g lighter
Max Video Resolution
1280 x 720 vs None Higher Resolution Video
CHECK L120 PRICE


Reasons to choose Nikon Df over Nikon Coolpix L120
External Flash Shoe
Yes vs No Better for flash photography
Viewfinder
Optical vs None Better framing and control
RAW Support
Yes vs No Better image quality
Sensor Resolution
16 MP vs 14 MP 14% more pixels
Max ISO
12.800 vs 6.400 100% higher Max ISO
Number of Focus Points
39 vs 9 30 more focus points
LCD Screen Size
3.2" vs 3" 0.2 inches larger display
Continuous Shooting
6.0fps vs 1.0fps 5 fps faster
Battery Life
1400 shots vs 330 shots 1070 more frames with a single charge
Manual Exposure
Yes vs No better exposure control
Environmental Sealing
Yes vs No shoot at tough conditions
Sensor Pixel Area
53.24µm2 vs 2.01µm2 2548% larger pixel area
Top LCD
Yes vs No Help viewing and changing settings easily
AE Bracketing
Yes vs No Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR
Flash Sync Port
Yes vs No Connect off-camera flash
CHECK Df PRICE

Common Strengths of Nikon Coolpix L120 and Nikon Df
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs Yes very handy for portraits
LCD Screen Size
3.20" vs 3.20" Large display
LCD Screen Resolution
921k dots vs 921k dots High resolution screens
Common Weaknesses of Nikon Coolpix L120 and Nikon Df
Fixed Screen
Fixed Type vs No Screen tilts or Flips out independently, perfect for both stills and video
Nikon L120 vs Nikon Df: 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 L120 and Nikon Df side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Nikon L120 has external dimensions of 110 x 77 x 78 mm (4.33 x 3.03 x 3.07″) and weighs 431 g (0.95 lb / 15.20 oz) (including batteries). Nikon Df has external dimensions of 144 x 110 x 67 mm (5.67 x 4.33 x 2.64″) and weighs 760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Nikon L120 and Nikon Df. Nikon L120 is 34mm narrower and 33mm shorter than Nikon Df but it is also 11mm thicker. As you can tell, actually this is not a fair size comparison since Nikon L120 has a built-in lens but Nikon Df doesn't. Once you put a lens on Df, its thickness will increase significantly.

Nikon L120 vs Nikon Df Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Nikon L120 and Nikon Df Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of Nikon L120 and Nikon Df.

Nikon L120 vs Nikon Df Camera Size Comparison - Back View
Comparison image of Nikon L120 and Nikon Df Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Nikon L120 and Nikon Df.
Nikon L120 vs Nikon Df Camera Size Comparison - Top View
Top View Comparison image of Nikon L120 and Nikon Df Size

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Nikon L120 is significantly lighter (329g ) than the Nikon Df which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Again, this comparison may not be very useful in real life as we are comparing the weight of a camera with a built-in lens to the body-only weight of an interchangeable lens camera. Once you put a lens on Df, the total kit will weigh much higher.

Weather Sealing

Thanks to the weather sealed body of Df, you can use this camera with more confidence under conditions where there is risk of exposure to water and dust compared to L120.

LCD Screen Size and Features

Nikon Df's 3.20" LCD screen is slightly larger than Nikon L120's 3" screen.

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.
Nikon L120 vs Nikon Df: Sensor Comparison

Nikon L120 has a 14.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Expeed C2 processor. On the other hand, Nikon Df has a 16.0MP Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed 3 processor.

Below you can see the L120 and Df sensor size comparison.

Nikon L120 vs Nikon Df Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon L120 and Nikon Df Cameras


As seen above, Nikon Df has a 30.7x Larger sensor area than Nikon L120. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.

What types of Photography are Nikon L120 and Nikon Df Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Nikon L120 and Nikon Df 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 L120 for Portrait Photography

POOR

Nikon Df for Portrait Photography

GOOD
Image Stabilization
Average Resolution Sensor: 14.0MP
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
Large Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm) sensor
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
No Image Stabilization
Read the details

Nikon L120 for Street Photography

GOOD

Nikon Df for Street Photography

GOOD
Image Stabilization
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
25 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
Large Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm) sensor
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
No Image Stabilization
Large Body
Read the details

Nikon L120 for Sports Photography

POOR

Nikon Df for Sports Photography

EXCELLENT
Image Stabilization
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
525 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
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
9 Focus Points
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.80
Read the details
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
9 Cross Type Focus sensors
39 Focus Points
Good Battery Life: 1400 shots
Good Low Light ISO
Average Continuous Shooting: 6.0fps
No Image Stabilization
Read the details

Nikon L120 for Daily Photography

AVERAGE

Nikon Df for Daily Photography

GOOD
Compact Body
21.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
431g
Body Thickness 78mm
Read the details
Large Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm) sensor
Environmental Sealings
Large Body
760g
Body Thickness 67mm
Read the details

Nikon L120 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Nikon Df for Landscape Photography

AVERAGE
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 14.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Large Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm) sensor
Environmental Sealings
Live-view
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Read the details

Nikon L120 vs Nikon Df: 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 L120 and Nikon Df, 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 L120 and Nikon Df scores compare:

Nikon L120
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #218 out of 477 in Compact cameras
Ranked #836 out of 1257 in all Cameras
Nikon Df
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #47 out of 95 in Mid-size SLR cameras
Ranked #265 out of 1257 in all Cameras

Nikon Df is the overall winner of this comparison. It has a higher Overall Score and beats Nikon L120 in all criteria except one: Portability.
If small size and light body is a big priority for you, choose Nikon L120. Otherwise, Nikon Df is the better camera overall.

Nikon L120
Nikon L120
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Nikon Df
Nikon Df
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Nikon Df vs Nikon L120 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Nikon Coolpix L120 Nikon Df
Brand Nikon Nikon
Announced 2011-02-09 2013-12-20
Body Type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor
Type CCD CMOS
Size 1/2.3-inch Full frame
Dimensions 6.17 x 4.55 mm 36 x 23.9 mm
Area 28.07mm2 860.40mm2
Megapixels 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Max Resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3280
Max Native Light sensitivity 6,400 ISO 12,800 ISO
Max Boosted Light Sensitivity - 204800 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity 80 ISO 100 ISO
Min Boosted Light Sensitivity - 50 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 9 39
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount fixed lens Nikon F
Lens Focal Range 25-525 mm (21×) no lens
Max Aperture F3.1-5.8 no lens
Macro Focus Range 1cm no lens
Screen
Type Fixed type Fixed type
Size 3.00" 3.20"
Resolution 921k dots 921k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage n/a 100%
Viewfinder Magnification n/a 0.7x
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/4000s 1/4000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Built-in Image Stabilization Sensor-shift No
Built-in Flash
Flash Range 6.00 m no built-in flash
Max Flash Sync n/a 1/250s
External Flash
Continuous Shooting 1.0 fps 6.0 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 1280 x 720 None
Video Formats Motion JPEG n/a
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity None Optional
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 431g 760g
Dimensions 110 x 77 x 78mm 144 x 110 x 67mm
Battery Life 330 shots 1400 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS None Optional
DxO Sensor Scores
DxO Overall Score not tested 89
DxO Color Depth not tested 24.6
DxO Dynamic Range not tested 13.1
DxO Low Light ISO not tested 3279
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