Canon G11 vs Canon SX120 IS
83 Imaging
34 Features
48 Overall
39


87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31
Canon G11 vs Canon SX120 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 28-140mm (F2.8-4.5) lens
- 375g - 112 x 76 x 48mm
- Introduced December 2009
- Refreshed by Canon G12
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
- 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
- Revealed August 2009

Canon G11 vs Canon SX120 IS Overview
Below, we will be comparing the Canon G11 and Canon SX120 IS, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and they are both produced by Canon. The image resolution of the G11 (10MP) and the SX120 IS (10MP) is pretty comparable but the G11 (1/1.7") and SX120 IS (1/2.5") feature different sensor sizing.

The G11 was announced 4 months after the SX120 IS and they are of a similar age. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the G11 grades vs the SX120 IS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon G11 vs Canon SX120 IS Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot G11 & Canon PowerShot SX120 IS. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon G11 Gallery & Canon SX120 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon G11 over the Canon SX120 IS
G11 | SX120 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+231k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Canon G11
SX120 IS | G11 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.8" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Common features in the Canon G11 and Canon SX120 IS
G11 | SX120 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | December 2009 | ![]() | August 2009 | Same age |
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Canon G11 vs Canon SX120 IS Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon G11 comes with outside dimensions of 112mm x 76mm x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 375 grams (0.83 lbs) while the Canon SX120 IS has measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") and a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs).
Contrast the Canon G11 and Canon SX120 IS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the G11 against the SX120 IS.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the G11 and SX120 IS is 83 and 87 respectively.

Canon G11 vs Canon SX120 IS Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by checking out technical specs. The picture here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the G11 and SX120 IS.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras have got the exact same MP albeit different sensor sizes. The G11 includes the bigger sensor which should make getting shallow DOF simpler.

Canon G11 vs Canon SX120 IS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon G11 vs Canon SX120 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot G11 | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Canon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot G11 | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2009-12-16 | 2009-08-19 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | Digic 4 |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.5" |
Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 36-360mm (10.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-4.5 | f/2.8-4.3 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.8" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 461k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (tunnel) | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 15 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2500 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m | 3.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/2000 secs | 1/500 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
Video data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 375 gr (0.83 pounds) | 285 gr (0.63 pounds) |
Dimensions | 112 x 76 x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 47 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.1 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 169 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery ID | NB-7L | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $600 | $249 |