There is no comparison between the Nikon AW120, the Nikon P340 and a GoPro ...

In our opinion, harmonize the two models from Nikon, the AW120 and the P340, very well together because they complement each other very well. And on the basis of the differences you will see at a glance what features has the AW120 and the P340 and distinguished.

Ultimately, it is always a Betrachungsweise and a matter of expectations, for which camera you choose and give preference - sometimes maybe you have to not decide, but chooses several alternatives.

A GoPro we had already in use (by acquaintances borrowed for a diving holiday). Since the application is rather very specific, we recommend the AW120 for the widest possible Awendungsgebiet. Although the AW120 is also suitable for's diving and snorkelling, but the GoPro Hero3 + Black Edition is our favorite for diving (the case is up to 40m waterproof - the Nikon AW120 there are "only" 18m - but even that would mostly rich) and we ordered the GoPro already for our next dive trip. Also, the GoPro can, thanks to its various mounting options such. B. also use's biking, surfing, paragliding well as by ordering the AW120 a little more difficult. However, the AW120 is ideally suited for the beach or pool-holiday (for the P340's too bad that is ideal for city trips at night and not so good lighting conditions). If you have the AW120 on the sandy beach as well, you can go with this and simply into the water. If you are back in the hotel rooms from the beach, just leave cold, clear water over the body of the camera running and get rid of as sand, salt and dust. That is to heed the sense that you otherwise might scratch the lens and / or the display.

The Nikon AW120 can of course not be compared with an action cam like the GoPro, but a few common features they have. And perhaps it is precisely these similarities, tip the scales either for one or the other camera. In short, the AW120 is an all-rounder, the Hero3 + a specialist.

Now for the most important differences between the Nikon AW120 and the P340, which stand at first and second glance:
The AW120 is up to 18m or 59ft waterproof, the P340 is not waterproof.
The AW120 is shockproof to 2m or 6,6ft, the P340 is not.
The AW120 is "made in Indonesia", the P340 is "made in China".
The AW120 is a Nikkor 5x Wide Optical Zoom 4.3 - 21.5mm 1: - equipped 4.9 ED VR Obektiv, the P340 with a Nikkor 5x Wide Optical Zoom VR 5.1 - 2.8 25.5mm 1: - equipped 5.6 1.8 lens.
The AW120 has both WiFi and GPS, the P340 has only WiFi.
The AW120 in the display indicates the (approximate) height and the air pressure.
In the AW120 can be integrated if desired POIs (Points of Interest's), in the P340 this is not possible due to lack of GPS.
The AW120 has an electronic compass, the one on request and can hide again, the P340 does not have such a function.
The AW120 has a height and depth gauge, this has the P340 is not integrated.
The A120 can take pictures only in JPG format, the P340 also dominates raw or Nikon's own NRW format.

Speaking of depth and watertight: During one of our dives we went with the Nikon AW120 sometimes even on more than 20m under water depth. Although Nikon "waterproof" indicates to 18m, our model is at least beyond remained waterproof and functional. But to imitate it is not recommended. Because if water gets into the housing, that's it with the beautiful holiday memories, and that is neither you nor we liked. Nevertheless, we tried it with other dives again, and the AW120 has kept tight. As a precaution, we have transferred before each dive the previous photos on memory cards and hard disks and assured that in case of an emergency only the current record would have been lost. And after each dive (any depth), we have the camera checked to see if moisture is entering the inside - so far fortunately none. How long the camera can withstand the water pressure, time will tell, but we always go very good care of it and hope as long as possible to have a lot of fun with the Nikon AW120. Especially when diving it is not always so easy to stop at 18m and at our camera it was nice to be noted that the AW120 endures even more depth than indicated - that soothes while diving and can concentrate on the essential things. But be sure that the Nikon AW120 withstand a depth over the specified 18m, you should of course not.

Now for the common ground of both Nikon models:
They fit, for example in the same bag - more on that below.
They both use the same battery - if you have both cameras, then you can as the battery back and forth exchange and possibly only need one more spare battery, the Nikon EN-EL12..
Both models are dimensionally similar, are well in hand and both fall into the category of "always with you".
The build quality is impeccable in both the AW120 and the P340.
The menu is Nikon's typical - simple and logical, but not as slow as in the P340 - with the AW120 it reacts felt a little faster and more fluid.

The battery should be very good use. This is available at Amazon for about 25, - at a reasonable price. And how powerful and enduring may seem a battery always carry a spare, we have not only to travel wherever you go. Even on day trips is always a spare battery in your luggage. Because if the go the juice was supposed to go out expect Against time, that does not go. The battery is not only suitable for the AW120, he works, among others, also in the P340, P330, the AW110 ...

Once the battery is charged and the memory card is inserted, falls at the Nikon AW120 as with the Nikon P340 with the first fast switch-on (this we have dispensed with the start screen, with start-up image takes's noticeably longer), so the camera is quite well for snapshots. But only for snapshots, the AW120 is neither made nor intended.

Not only well-intentioned, but also helpful are the remarks at the first time:
* Never open any covers in damp or sandy conditions, otherwise foreign bodies could get inside the camera.
* Remove debris using a brush or a blower.
* Make sure that these sites are free of dirt and debris and close the covers.
* Specify the camera to use for 10 minutes in fresh water to release adhesions.
* Wipe off any drops of water and set the camera to dry on a soft cloth.
* Use a completely dry cloth to remove drops at the locations shown.
The divers among us will put the camera along with their diving suits and their scuba gear into the fresh water pool. Then, the camera will only dry-spotted, and already she is ready for the next use.

The display of the Nikon AW120 is easy to read even in sunlight. The quality of the JPG photos is keep more than fine, but the picture quality of the P340 can not for an all-action cam. And here the question arises as to the expectations again: they must also make full? Everyone needs to decide for itself.

Not only beginners Nikon School is interesting, even for advanced amateur photographers and professionals can be found on the website useful tips. In workshops and courses trainer are at your side and help you to realize the perfect image.
And it's worth a look at the website of the Nikon Professional Services. Although this is primarily intended for people who have made the photograph to your profession, one, and other useful you can also take for himself and put in his photo shoots.
Why do we mention both? We helped it, the photos with the both the AW120 and the P340 continues to optimize and also to arrive more rapidly at a beautiful photo experience.

And so the small Compact is well stowed, we have after some searching found the right camera bag: Dashpoint 10 from Lowepro. Here the Nikon AW120 fits in perfectly, and is well protected for about Euro 15, - also available at an affordable price. So it can not only be the battery used repeatedly, the same applies to the case.