• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 36.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon AW120 advantages over Leica X-E (Typ 102)

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $1795 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    25 mm vs 51 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    213g vs 345g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.9 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Leica X-E (Typ 102) advantages over Nikon AW120

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.79 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    8 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12500 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon AW120
Nikon AW120

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica X-E (Typ 102)
Leica X-E
All X-E (Typ 102) Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon A1300

Nikon AW120
Canon A1300
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $134
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Canon A1300

Leica X-E (Typ 102)
Canon A1300
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $134
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Leica X-E (Typ 102) vs Canon A1300

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Nikon AW120
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Leica X-E (Typ 102)
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen

Compare Leica X-E (Typ 102) vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compared to Leica X2

Nikon AW120
Leica X2
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Leica X2

Leica X-E (Typ 102)
Leica X2
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • $1499
  • APS-C

Compare Leica X-E (Typ 102) vs Leica X2

Compared to Canon A1400

Nikon AW120
Canon A1400
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Canon A1400

Leica X-E (Typ 102)
Canon A1400
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Leica X-E (Typ 102) vs Canon A1400

Compared to Nikon AW130

Nikon AW120
Nikon AW130
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Nikon AW130

Leica X-E (Typ 102)
Nikon AW130
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica X-E (Typ 102) vs Nikon AW130

Compare Other Cameras?