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

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Differences

Nikon AW130 advantages over Sony WX500

  • Less expensive
    $299 vs $348
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 35 mm
    Thinner
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony WX500 advantages over Nikon AW130

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon AW130

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony WX500

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon A1400

Nikon AW130
Canon A1400
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
Sony WX500
Canon A1400
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Nikon AW120

Nikon AW130
Nikon AW120
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
Sony WX500
Nikon AW120
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Sony HX90V

Nikon AW130
Sony HX90V
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony WX500
Sony HX90V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony HX80

Nikon AW130
Sony HX80
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony WX500
Sony HX80
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon W300

Nikon AW130
Nikon W300
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $387
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Sony WX500
Nikon W300
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC
  • $387
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
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