Nikon COOLPIX AW120 Review | 108 Data compared

The Nikon Coolpix AW120, reviewed by ePHOTOzine, is a rugged, travel-friendly compact camera featuring a 5x optical zoom lens, 18m waterproof rating, and a 2m shockproof design. Key strengths include improved battery life (350 shots), a high-resolution screen, built-in GPS/Wi-Fi, and excellent color accuracy, making it ideal for outdoor adventures. ePHOTOzine While the camera delivers good, consistent exposure, the review notes a lack of fine image sharpness, which limits maximum detail. Nevertheless, the AW120 is considered a high-value, feature-packed, and competitively priced option suitable for sharing photos online.

The Nikon Coolpix AW120 is a rugged, entry-level point-and-shoot digital camera built specifically for outdoor adventures, vacations, and underwater use up to depths of 59 feet. A minor refresh of its predecessor, the AW110, this model retains a highly durable construction that stands up to splashes, tumbles, and freezing temperatures. Its standout features include a fast max f/2.8 aperture lens (though limited to a 5x optical zoom), built-in Wi-Fi for remote operation, and an integrated GPS antenna complete with onboard maps to help travelers navigate unfamiliar terrain. While its overall construction is solid and simple enough for novices to handle, the rear 3-inch OLED screen can become difficult to view under direct sunlight. Pros and Cons Pros: Excellent weatherproofing and deep underwater capabilities; helpful GPS and map functions for location tracking; and highly accurate color performance using manual white balance readings. Cons: High noise in still photos even with aggressive built-in noise reduction; a lack of fine image detail due to software over-sharpening; and blurry, low-resolution video quality that deteriorates rapidly in low-light environments. Ultimately, the AW120 serves as a...

The Nikon Coolpix AW120 is a rugged, weather-resistant point-and-shoot camera engineered specifically for outdoor adventures, serving as a solid alternative to fragile smartphones near pools and beaches. Its primary pros center around its durable, travel-friendly build; it features a solid construction that safely withstands underwater depths down to 59 feet, is shockproof against drops from up to 6 feet, and automatically logs depth data onto photos. It provides a slight upgrade over its predecessor, the AW110, by offering marginally improved performance in low-light environments and standing out as an affordable option for underwater photography under the $400 mark. Conversely, the camera has notable cons, particularly regarding its image quality, which falls short of typical non-rugged $400 cameras and cannot compete with a high-end DSLR. Users can expect standard point-and-shoot shortcomings, including prominent image noise and a noticeable loss of fine detail when shooting in dim lighting. Additionally, the physical limitations present structural risks: the water seals can rupture if recommended diving depths are exceeded, drops higher than 6 feet can cause structural fractures, and because the body is prone to...

The Nikon Coolpix AW120 is a feature-packed, rugged compact camera praised for its sharp 5x optical zoom lens, vibrant 3-inch OLED display, and high-performance specs, including a 59-foot waterproof rating. It also includes convenient built-in Wi-Fi and GPS for location tracking and sharing, making it a strong choice for outdoor enthusiasts. However, the review highlights significant drawbacks, notably that the 16-megapixel sensor produces images with noticeable noise even at low ISO, and the lack of an external battery charger forces users to open the waterproof compartment, risking seal damage. Ultimately, the review rates the Olympus Tough TG-3 as a better, more versatile option in this category.

The Nikon Coolpix AW120 is an exceptionally tough, pocket-friendly compact camera built specifically to survive extreme outdoor adventures. Priced around $360, this rugged model can survive a two-meter drop onto hard floors, withstand freezing temperatures down to -10°C, and resist water at depths up to 18 meters. Beyond its physical armor, it stands out by adding helpful environment sensors like an electronic compass, points of interest mapping, and meters for water depth, water pressure, altitude, and atmospheric pressure. It also introduces convenient USB charging, making it easy to juice up via solar chargers when you are far away from an electrical outlet. While it excels at survival, the camera requires some performance tradeoffs. On the positive side, it features a good f/2.8 maximum aperture at wide angles and a 5x optical zoom that delivers detailed, clean photos and smooth 1080p video in good lighting. However, its cons include disappointing low-light performance without a flash, occasional automatic light metering issues when zoomed in, and a highly frustrating, near-unusable Wi-Fi setup. Ultimately, image quality comes second to pure durability, making it an...

The Nikon Coolpix AW120 is a rugged camera waterproof to 59 feet, shockproof to 6.6 feet, and freezeproof to 14°F, featuring a fast 24-120mm equivalent lens, 1080/60i video, and a capable GPS with mapping. Key advantages include its robust build, quick startup, and excellent handling with gloves via the "Action Control" system. Conversely, the 16-megapixel sensor suffers from aggressive noise reduction that causes a "watercolor" effect on fine details. Additional drawbacks include poor LCD visibility in direct sunlight and a slower lens at the telephoto end compared to competitors.

The Catch and Release review highlights the Nikon Coolpix AW120 as a durable, 16-megapixel, budget-friendly camera, ideal for anglers, featuring waterproofing to 18 meters, shockproofing to 2 meters, and freeze-proofing to -10°C. It boasts an ultra-wide 24mm f/2.8 lens, 5x optical zoom, built-in Wi-Fi, GPS/GLONASS navigation, and a functional camouflage design that makes it an excellent choice for rugged, outdoor environments. catchandrelease.co.uk The review notes that while the camera offers consistent performance for, landscapes, and selfies, its camouflage exterior poses a risk of loss in the undergrowth. Furthermore, its automated, user-friendly design lacks complex manual controls, restricting advanced users looking for, rather than a quick, functional, and automated experience.

The Nikon Coolpix AW120 is a rugged, adventure-ready compact camera built specifically for hikers, swimmers, and outdoor enthusiasts. It stands out with its heavy-duty design, capable of surviving drops from two meters, freezing temperatures down to -10ºC, and underwater depths down to 18 meters. Equipped with a 16-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture at its widest 24mm setting, the camera performs well for low-light sunset or underwater shots. It is packed with useful outdoor tools, including GPS location tagging, a barometer, an altimeter, a depth gauge, and a compass. Additionally, it features built-in Wi-Fi functionality that connects to Nikon's smartphone app for basic remote shooting and photo transferring. However, the camera has notable drawbacks that make it mostly worth the investment if its rugged qualities are strictly necessary. On the downside, the physical buttons and controls are quite small, making them highly difficult to operate accurately when wearing gloves during cold-weather activities like skiing. Its optical zoom range is restricted to a modest 5x (24-120mm equivalent) due to the non-protruding lens design, and the three-inch OLED...

The Nikon Coolpix AW120, reviewed in the DPReview 2014–15 Waterproof Camera Roundup, is a budget-friendly option featuring a versatile 5X zoom lens, an advanced GPS system with mapping capabilities, and reliable, fast performance with quality 1080/60i video, according to the review. However, the camera is limited by a 3-inch OLED display that is difficult to view in bright daylight, along with image quality issues including significant noise reduction and a prominent blue color cast in underwater photos, resulting in no award in this competitive roundup.

The ⁠Nikon Coolpix AW120 review on John Galea's Blog evaluates this 16-megapixel rugged camera primarily through the lens of outdoor kayaking photography. A major standout pro is the camera's instant startup speed because the inner-moving lens elements remain protected behind glass, eliminating the deployment delays common in standard compact models. The device is heavily lauded for its integrated sensors, featuring a fast-locking GPS for metadata geotagging, an automatic clock adjuster, a barometric altimeter, and a mapping breadcrumb log system. For physical convenience, it includes standard micro-USB charging, dual lanyard points for shoulder mounts, and an integrated tripod thread. The physical interface also offers a highly accessible flash and self-timer, which do not require digging into nested menus. However, the reviewer highlights several critical limitations and cons, concluding that the camera is not worth its original $350 retail price tag due to subpar image quality. The internal lens design limits the optical zoom to a meager 5x, and the resulting outdoor images suffer from distinctly soft, blurry edges upon closer inspection. Additionally, the camera completely lacks a dedicated macro mode, preventing...

The DPReview Nikon Coolpix AW120 gallery features a 16-megapixel, rugged, waterproof camera equipped with a versatile 24-120mm equivalent, f/2.8 lens, which is notably wider than many competitors. Key advantages include its robust construction—rated for 18-meter depth, 2-meter drops, and -10°C temperatures—along with fast GPS functionality and built-in Wi-Fi. However, real-world tests indicate significant cons regarding image quality, characterized by heavy noise reduction that results in a muddy, watercolor-like texture at 100% view. Additionally, the camera suffers from corner blurring and a 3-inch OLED screen that is challenging to view in direct sunlight.

The Nikon Coolpix AW120, featured in the 2014-15 DPReview roundup, is a 16MP camera boasting an f/2.8-4.9 lens with a 24-120mm equivalent range and an 18-metre waterproof rating. Key hardware includes a 3-inch OLED screen, built-in Wi-Fi, and a detailed GPS system with maps, all enclosed in a rugged body with a secured side compartment for ports and the battery. Pros for the AW120 include its excellent depth rating, versatile wide-angle lens, and comprehensive mapping capabilities, though it lacks a quick-access menu and features a less intuitive "Active Control" shake-to-control feature. Despite past reputation concerns for water leaks, the review did not experience failures during testing, but notes the interface is not as refined as its competitors.

The Nikon Coolpix AW120 is a 16-megapixel rugged camera designed for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring waterproofing to 18 meters, shockproofing to 2 meters, and freeze-proofing to -10°C. It boasts high-quality macro performance, built-in Wi-Fi, and a precise GPS system, making it an excellent tool for angling and travel photography. However, the review highlights significant drawbacks, including a frustrating motion-based "Action Control" menu and small buttons that are difficult to operate, particularly with gloves. Furthermore, heavy image processing smudges fine details, and the screen is prone to scratches, requiring immediate protection.