• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot G15
  • Nikon Coolpix AW120
Links
Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon G12
G12 vs G15
 
Successor: Canon G16
G15 vs G16
 
General
Model Number: G15 AW120
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Mid-Sized Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $499.99 $349.95
Street Price: $649.95 $219.00
Date Available: 2012-10-15 2014-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 12.3 oz (350 g)
includes batteries
7.5 oz (213 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.2 x 3.0 x 1.6 in.
(107 x 76 x 40 mm)
4.3 x 2.6 x 1.0 in.
(110 x 66 x 26 mm)
Waterproof: No Yes
Waterproof Depth: n/a  
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 16.0
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.90 microns 1.34 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 46  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 19.9  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.5  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 165  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), 12-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 10.2 6.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
1920x1080 (60i/​50i/​30p/​25p)
1280x720 (30p/​25p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo PCM) MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, Audio: LPCM stereo)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Zoom-Nikkor VR ED lens; 12 elements in 10 groups with 2 ED elements
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 140mm 24 - 120mm
Focal Length (actual): 6.1 - 30.5mm 4.3 - 21.5mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.00x 5.00x
Aperture Range: f/1.8 (W) / f/2.8 (T) - f/8.0 f/2.8 (wide) / f/4.9 (tele); Electronically-controlled small aperture (-1 AV), ND filter (-2 AV) selection
Integrated ND Filter: Yes No
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
1 cm to Infinity
0.4 in to Infinity
Filter Thread: 58.0mm n/a
Thread Type: Via optional lens adapter n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x; up to 2x Dynamic Fine Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection; 9-point AiAF, 1-point (center for face select and track) Contrast Detection: Face priority, manual with 99 focus areas, center, subject tracking, Target Finding AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / OLED
Viewfinder Type: Real-image optical zoom; Picture coverage: approx. 80%; Eyepoint: 15mm; Dioptic Adjustment Range: -3.0 - +1.0m  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 922,000 dots (307,200 px) 921,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x  
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 1600
Minimum ISO (native): 80 125
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 80 to 12800 Auto ISO, 125-1600; 3200 and 6400 available in Auto mode
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1/2, Underwater Auto, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Flash, Manual (Custom)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 15 sec 1/2000 - 4 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot; Face Detect AE 256-segment Matrix, Center-weighted (when digital zoom is below 2x), Spot (when digital zoom is 2x or higher)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes No
Shutter Priority: Yes No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene modes (Portrait, Smooth Skin, Smart Shutter, High-Speed Burst HQ, Handheld NightScene, Underwater, Snow, Fireworks, Stitch Assist), Creative Filters (High Dynamic Range, Nostalgic, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap) Backlighting, Beach, Black and White Copy, Close-up, Dusk/Dawn, Panorama assist, Fireworks Show, Food, Landscape, Museum, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Scene Auto Selector, Snow, Sports, Sunset, Underwater
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro, Second-curtain synchro Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Flash off, Fill flash, Slow sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1.6 ft.-23 ft./50 cm-7 m (W), 1.6-15 ft./50cm-4.5m (T) Auto ISO: [W]: 0.5 to 5.2 m (1 ft. 8 in. to 17 ft.) [T]: 0.5 to 4.5 m (1 ft. 8 in. to 14 ft.)
Max Flash Sync: 1/2000  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot-Shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG  
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo PCM) MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, Audio: LPCM stereo)
Included Memory: No memory included 329.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   Internal
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No Yes
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes No
Remote Control Type: Wired  
Connections (extended): Combined USB/AV, Mini (Type-C) HDMI, Remote Terminal Built-in GPS, Micro (Type D) HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.07  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 2.83  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 2.91  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 10.2 6.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 10 5
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 1.2  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 20  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 1.0  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 5  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.46 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.46 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.454 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.71 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.073 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 2.2 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 1.7 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.0 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 350 shots 350 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 770 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-10L Proprietary EN-EL12
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-10L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL12 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista/7, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Fast f/1.8(W)-f/2.8(T) lens, DIGIC 5 processor, Intelligent Image Stabilization, improved AF performance, 10 fps High-Speed Burst mode, Full HD 1080p24 video, 58 scene Smart Auto, supports conversion lenses. Waterproof (up to 59 feet, 18m), shockproof (up to 6.6 feet, 2m) and freezeproof (down to 14F, -10C); Built-in GPS with maps, built-in Wi-Fi, Full HD 1080i movies. Available in Orange, Blue, Black or Camouflage.