• 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus XZ-1 advantages over Nikon AW120

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.63 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.15 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • 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.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    14 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon AW120 advantages over Olympus XZ-1

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    25 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.9 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Nikon AW120

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung TL500

Olympus XZ-1
Samsung TL500
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus XZ-1 vs Samsung TL500

Nikon AW120
Samsung TL500
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Samsung TL500

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Olympus XZ-1
Olympus XZ-2
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus XZ-1 vs Olympus XZ-2

Nikon AW120
Olympus XZ-2
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Olympus XZ-2

Compared to Canon A1400

Olympus XZ-1
Canon A1400
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-1 vs 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

Compared to Canon N100

Olympus XZ-1
Canon N100
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Olympus XZ-1 vs Canon N100

Nikon AW120
Canon N100
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Canon N100

Compared to Nikon AW130

Olympus XZ-1
Nikon AW130
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus XZ-1 vs 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

Compare Other Cameras?