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Canon S120 vs Canon S90

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot S120 front
 
Canon PowerShot S90 front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
42
Overall
37

Canon S120 vs Canon S90 Key Specs

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
  • Revealed November 2013
  • Replaced the Canon S110
Canon S90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-105mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 195g - 100 x 58 x 31mm
  • Announced April 2010
  • Successor is Canon S95
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Canon S120 vs Canon S90 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Canon S120 versus Canon S90, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both of them are built by Canon. The sensor resolution of the S120 (12MP) and the S90 (10MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/1.7").

Photography Glossary

The S120 was introduced 3 years after the S90 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple overview of how the S120 scores against the S90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Canon S90

 S120 S90 
AnnouncedNovember 2013April 2010Newer by 45 months
Screen resolution922k461kSharper screen (+461k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Canon S90 over the Canon S120

 S90 S120 

Common features in the Canon S120 and Canon S90

 S120 S90 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Canon S120 vs Canon S90 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon S120 provides physical dimensions of 100mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 217 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Canon S90 has measurements of 100mm x 58mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs).

Look at the Canon S120 versus Canon S90 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the S120 and the S90.

Canon S120 vs Canon S90 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S120 and S90 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Canon S90 top view buttons comparison

Canon S120 vs Canon S90 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions just by looking through a spec sheet. The picture below should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S120 and S90.

Clearly, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should count on the Canon S120 to result in more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The fresher S120 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon S120 vs Canon S90 sensor size comparison

Canon S120 vs Canon S90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S120 vs Canon S90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S120 Portrait photography details
Canon S90 Portrait photography details
42
you can focus manually
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
40
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Canon S120 Street photography details
Canon S90 Street photography details
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
has touch to focus
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
heavier than average in class (217g)
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Canon S120 Sports photography features
Canon S90 Sports photography features
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
has no phase detect auto focus
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon S120 Travel photography info
Canon S90 Travel photography info
67
has touch to focus
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
heavier than average in class (217g)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
63
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon S120 as a Landscape photography camera
Canon S90 as a Landscape photography camera
57
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
52
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon S120 Vlogging information
Canon S90 Vlogging information
35
really wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic support
heavier than average in class (217 grams)
31
pretty wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Canon S120 vs Canon S90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S120 and Canon S90
 Canon PowerShot S120Canon PowerShot S90
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot S120 Canon PowerShot S90
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-11-26 2010-04-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 6 Digic 4
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
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 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-105mm (3.8x)
Max aperture f/1.8-5.7 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 922 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames/s 1.0 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 6.50 m
Flash modes Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/500 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 217 gr (0.48 pounds) 195 gr (0.43 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") 100 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 46
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.9 11.0
DXO Low light rating 246 185
Other
Battery life 230 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $449 $599