• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon AW100 advantages over Canon EOS M

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 32 mm
    Thinner
  • Less shutter lag
    0.31 vs 0.74 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon EOS M advantages over Nikon AW100

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.30 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    13 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Nice design; Good shutter button; High resolution; Good shot-to-shot time; Includes GPS maps.

  • Buttons are hard to press; Corners are soft; Flash overwhelms close up; Frustrating controls; Worse than average print quality.

  • Excellent image quality similar to Rebel T4i, T5i and SL1 DSLRs, with 18-megapixel APS-C-type sensor delivering considerable resolution for a mirrorless camera; Solid build and sleek design; Bright, high-resolution 3-inch LCD touchscreen monitor; Full 1080p HD video recording that's virtually silent with an STM lens.

  • Barely acceptable autofocus speed still lags far behind most mirrorless cameras despite firmware update fix; Limited physical controls and buttons, including no Program, Priority, or Manual on Mode dial; Lacks built-in flash or electronic viewfinder option; Only two compact EF-M mount lenses currently available.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus TG-610

Nikon AW100
Olympus TG-610
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
Canon EOS M
Olympus TG-610
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Nikon AW100
Sony NEX-5N
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon S1200pj

Nikon AW100
Nikon S1200pj
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $430
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Higher extended ISO
Canon EOS M
Nikon S1200pj
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $430
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Fujifilm XP50

Nikon AW100
Fujifilm XP50
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $238
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Canon EOS M
Fujifilm XP50
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $238
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Nikon AW100
Sony NEX-5R
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-5R
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
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