• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 288.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic SZ8 advantages over Nikon AW120

  • Less expensive
    $170 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • More telephoto lens reach
    288 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Lighter weight
    159g vs 213g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Nikon AW120 advantages over Panasonic SZ8

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.9 fps vs 1.2 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic SZ8
Panasonic SZ8

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon AW120
Nikon AW120

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S6300

Panasonic SZ8
Nikon S6300
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Nikon S6300

Nikon AW120
Nikon S6300
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S6300

Compared to Nikon S6400

Panasonic SZ8
Nikon S6400
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Nikon S6400

Nikon AW120
Nikon S6400
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Nikon S6400

Compared to Canon A1400

Panasonic SZ8
Canon A1400
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic SZ8 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 Samsung WB50F

Panasonic SZ8
Samsung WB50F
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung WB50F

Nikon AW120
Samsung WB50F
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon AW120 vs Samsung WB50F

Compared to Nikon AW130

Panasonic SZ8
Nikon AW130
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Lighter weight
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Panasonic SZ8 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?