• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon AW120 advantages over Panasonic ZS50

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    25 mm vs 34 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Panasonic ZS50 advantages over Nikon AW120

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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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

Panasonic ZS50
Canon A1300
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $134
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Canon A1300

Compared to Canon A1400

Nikon AW120
Canon A1400
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Canon A1400

Panasonic ZS50
Canon A1400
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Canon A1400

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Nikon AW120
Panasonic ZS40
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Panasonic ZS40

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS40
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Panasonic ZS40

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Nikon AW120
Canon SX700 HS
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Canon SX700 HS

Panasonic ZS50
Canon SX700 HS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Canon SX700 HS

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

Panasonic ZS50
Nikon AW130
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Nikon AW130

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