• 1/1.72 inch 41.5mm2
  • 13.6 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 102.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Samsung SL310 advantages over Nikon AW100

  • Less expensive
    $230 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    1/1.72 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.75 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.9
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer exposure
    8 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Nikon AW100 advantages over Samsung SL310

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 102 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k 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
    16.1 vs 13.6 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

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

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
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • 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

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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.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax A40

Samsung SL310
Pentax A40
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle lens
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Manual focus
Nikon AW100
Pentax A40
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax S12

Samsung SL310
Pentax S12
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Manual focus
Nikon AW100
Pentax S12
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Samsung TL34HD

Samsung SL310
Samsung TL34HD
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
Nikon AW100
Samsung TL34HD
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus TG-610

Samsung SL310
Olympus TG-610
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
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

Compared to Fujifilm XP50

Samsung SL310
Fujifilm XP50
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $238
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Nikon AW100
Fujifilm XP50
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $238
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
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