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Canon G16 vs Canon S120

Portability
85
Imaging
38
Features
62
Overall
47
Canon PowerShot G16 front
 
Canon PowerShot S120 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
57
Overall
45

Canon G16 vs Canon S120 Key Specs

Canon G16
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 356g - 109 x 76 x 40mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Older Model is Canon G15
Canon S120
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F1.8-5.7) lens
  • 217g - 100 x 59 x 29mm
  • Announced November 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon S110
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Canon G16 vs Canon S120 Overview

The following is a thorough assessment of the Canon G16 and Canon S120, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Canon. The sensor resolution of the G16 (12MP) and the S120 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/1.7").

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The G16 was revealed about the same time to the S120 and they are of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the G16 matches up versus the S120 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon G16 over the Canon S120

 G16 S120 

Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Canon G16

 S120 G16 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon G16 and Canon S120

 G16 S120 
AnnouncedNovember 2013November 2013Similar age
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Screen resolution922k922kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon G16 vs Canon S120 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Canon G16 comes with outer dimensions of 109mm x 76mm x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") with a weight of 356 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Canon S120 has specifications of 100mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 217 grams (0.48 lbs).

Check the Canon G16 and Canon S120 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the G16 against the S120.

Canon G16 vs Canon S120 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the G16 and S120 is 85 and 92 respectively.

Canon G16 vs Canon S120 top view buttons comparison

Canon G16 vs Canon S120 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to see the gap between sensor dimensions merely by looking at specs. The picture underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the G16 and S120.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels and you can expect similar quality of images although you will want to factor the launch date of the products into consideration.

Canon G16 vs Canon S120 sensor size comparison

Canon G16 vs Canon S120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G16 vs Canon S120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon G16
Portrait photography with Canon S120
49
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
42
manual focus
supports face detect focus
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Canon G16 as a Street photography camera
Canon S120 as a Street photography camera
58
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (356 grams)
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
offers touch focus
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/1.7")
heavier than competition (217 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon G16 as a Sports photography camera
Canon S120 as a Sports photography camera
44
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
great battery life (360 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
no phase detect AF
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon G16 Travel photography advice
Canon S120 Travel photography advice
64
great battery life (360 shots)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
more heavy than competition (356 grams)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
67
offers touch focus
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
heavier than competition (217g)
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G16 Landscape photography highlights
Canon S120 Landscape photography highlights
58
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (360 shots)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
57
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G16 as a Vlogging camera
Canon S120 as a Vlogging camera
33
decently wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have microphone port
more heavy than competition (356 grams)
35
quite wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic support
heavier than competition (217 grams)
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Canon G16 vs Canon S120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G16 and Canon S120
 Canon PowerShot G16Canon PowerShot S120
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot G16 Canon PowerShot S120
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-11-25 2013-11-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 6 Digic 6
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/1.8-5.7
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 922 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT PureColor II G LCD TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Viewfinder coverage 80% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 7.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, on, slow synchro, off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 356 gr (0.78 lb) 217 gr (0.48 lb)
Physical dimensions 109 x 76 x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 56
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 21.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 11.9
DXO Low light rating 230 246
Other
Battery life 360 photos 230 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-10L NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $499 $449