Olympus SZ-11 vs Nikon Coolpix AW120

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Olympus SZ-11 and the Nikon Coolpix AW120, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Olympus SZ-11 was introduced in July 2011 and Nikon Coolpix AW120 was introduced in February 2014. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Olympus SZ-11 Highlights

      • 14 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
      • 7.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Nikon Coolpix AW120 Highlights

      • 16.0 MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS Sensor
      • 125 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 921k dot Fixed Screen
      • 6.9 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Built-in GPS
      • Built-In Wi-Fi
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Olympus SZ-11 and Nikon Coolpix AW120.

      PROS

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Cheap
      •   Video Capture
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 213 g (0.47 lb / 7.51 oz)
      •   Internal Storage

      CONS

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   125 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Short Battery Life - 350 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.0 Megapixel
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.9 fps

      Advantage of Olympus SZ-11

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus SZ-11 over Nikon Coolpix AW120.

      Olympus SZ-11 vs Nikon Coolpix AW120
      Lower Native ISO 80 vs 125
      Multi Area Autofocus vs
      Single Autofocus vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Reachs More Telephoto 500 mm vs 120 mm
      Greater Optical Zoom 20x vs 5x
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 7.0 fps vs 6.9 fps
      AF-Area Metering vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus SZ-11.

      Advantage of Nikon Coolpix AW120

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon Coolpix AW120 over Olympus SZ-11.

      Olympus SZ-11 vs Nikon Coolpix AW120
      Higher Sensor Resolution 14 Megapixel vs 16.0 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 1,600 vs 6,400
      Max Image Resolution 4288 x 3216 vs 4608 x 3456
      Center Autofocus vs
      Reaches Wider Angle 25 mm vs 24 mm
      Maximum Aperture at Wide End f/3.0 vs f/2.8
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/6.9 vs f/4.9
      Min Normal Focus Distance 60 cm vs 50 cm
      Higher Resolution Screen 460k dot vs 921k dot
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/2000 sec vs 1/4000 sec
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Higher Video Resolution 1280 x 720 vs 1920 x 1080
      Built-in GPS vs
      Built-In Wi-Fi vs
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Water Proof vs
      Dust Proof vs
      Shock Proof vs
      Freeze Proof vs
      Lighter 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz) vs 213 g (0.47 lb / 7.51 oz)
      Longer Battery Life 200 shots vs 350 shots
      Internal Storage 59 MB vs 329 MB

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon Coolpix AW120.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Olympus SZ-11 Nikon Coolpix AW120
        Video Capture
        High Native ISO1,6006,400
        Face Detection
        Image Stabilization
        Built-in Flash
        Light226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)213 g (0.47 lb / 7.51 oz)
        Internal Storage59 MB329 MB
      WEAKNESSES Olympus SZ-11 Nikon Coolpix AW120
        Small Sensor1/2.3-inch1/2.3-inch
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Cross-type Focus Points00
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        No Viewfinder
        No External Flash Connectivity
        Low Video Resolution1280 x 7201920 x 1080
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        Short Battery Life200 shots350 shots

      Screen

      Screen

      Olympus SZ-11 and Nikon Coolpix AW120 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 460k dot and 921k dot resolutions respectively.

      Sensor

      Olympus SZ-11 features a 14 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 28.1 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,600. Nikon Coolpix AW120 features a 16.0 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 125 - 6,400.

      Photography Features

      Olympus SZ-11 is equipped with TruePic III+ processor and can take pictures up to 4288 x 3216 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4288 x 2416, 3264 x 2448, 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios. Nikon Coolpix AW120 can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution.


      Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      Built-in GPS on Nikon Coolpix AW120

      Nikon Coolpix AW120 has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
        Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.


      Built-in Wi-Fi on Nikon Coolpix AW120

      Nikon Coolpix AW120 has a built-in Wi-Fi which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
        Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.


      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Olympus SZ-11 comes with LI-50B battery pack with battery life of 200 shots and Nikon Coolpix AW120 comes with EN-EL12 battery pack with battery life of 350 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Olympus SZ-11 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Nikon Coolpix AW120 has a single SD /SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Olympus SZ-11, and up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon Coolpix AW120. Olympus SZ-11 can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps. Nikon Coolpix AW120 can shoot continuously up to 6.9 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 9.30 m @ ISO 1600 on Olympus SZ-11 and 5.20 m on Nikon Coolpix AW120..

      Physical Parameters

      Olympus SZ-11 body has dimensions of 106 x 69 x 40 mm (4.17 x 2.72 x 1.57") and Nikon Coolpix AW120 body has dimensions of 110 x 66 x 26 mm (4.33 x 2.6 x 1.02"). Olympus SZ-11 weighs 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz) and Nikon Coolpix AW120 weighs 213 g (0.47 lb / 7.51 oz).

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      106 mm

      69 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      110 mm

      66 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      69 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      66 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Olympus SZ-11 and Nikon Coolpix AW120

      Olympus SZ-11 and Nikon Coolpix AW120 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      POOR
      48
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      77
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.9 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 350 shots

      Wildlife Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.9 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 350 shots

      Portrait Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      GOOD
      70
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      GOOD
      70
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Street Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      GOOD
      83
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      EXCELLENT
      88
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 213 g (0.47 lb / 7.51 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      EXCELLENT
      92
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 213 g (0.47 lb / 7.51 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 350 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Olympus SZ-11 and Nikon Coolpix AW120 and give them scores of 53 and 60 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      OVERALL
      53
      OVERALL
      60

      Sensor

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      POOR
      51
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.0 Megapixel
      •   125 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.9 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      POOR
      46
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

      Focusing

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      GOOD
      71
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Olympus SZ-11

      Nikon Coolpix AW120

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      •   Internal Storage
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 213 g (0.47 lb / 7.51 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 350 shots
      •   Internal Storage


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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