• 1.5 inch 261.8mm2
  • 14.3 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon G1X advantages over Nikon AW120

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    1.5 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.30 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon AW120 advantages over Canon G1X

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $800 (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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    25 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    213g vs 543g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.9 fps vs 4.5 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon AW120

Review Excerpt

  • Large-sensor image quality. Sharp lens with useful zoom range. Tilt/swivel LCD. Twin dials. Smaller than competing interchangeable-lens cameras with a similar lens. Lots of photographer-friendly features.

  • Not as small as you might hope. Mediocre burst shooting and autofocus speed. Far too easy to accidentally change exposure compensation. Viewfinder is of surprisingly little use. Battery life could be better.

The Competition

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Canon G1X
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon AW120
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon A1400

Canon G1X
Canon A1400
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $336
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon AW120
Canon A1400
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $336
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Canon G1X
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less shutter lag
Nikon AW120
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon AW130

Canon G1X
Nikon AW130
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon AW120
Nikon AW130
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Slow-motion videos

Compared to Canon G1X Mark III

Canon G1X
Canon G1X Mark III
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon AW120
Canon G1X Mark III
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Compare Other Cameras?