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Canon S120 vs Canon SX280 HS

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
57
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot S120 front
 
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38

Canon S120 vs Canon SX280 HS 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
  • Introduced November 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon S110
Canon SX280 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Announced March 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX270 HS
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Canon S120 vs Canon SX280 HS Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Canon S120 and Canon SX280 HS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both created by Canon. The sensor resolution of the S120 (12MP) and the SX280 HS (12MP) is pretty comparable but the S120 (1/1.7") and SX280 HS (1/2.3") use totally different sensor size.

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The S120 was released 9 months later than the SX280 HS so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the S120 matches up against the SX280 HS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Canon SX280 HS

 S120 SX280 HS 
AnnouncedNovember 2013March 2013More recent by 9 months
Screen resolution922k461kCrisper screen (+461k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Canon S120

 SX280 HS S120 

Common features in the Canon S120 and Canon SX280 HS

 S120 SX280 HS 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Canon S120 vs Canon SX280 HS Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon S120 enjoys physical measurements of 100mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 217 grams (0.48 lbs) and the Canon SX280 HS has dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs).

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Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the S120 against the SX280 HS.

Canon S120 vs Canon SX280 HS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S120 and SX280 HS is 92 and 91 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Canon SX280 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon S120 vs Canon SX280 HS Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements purely by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the S120 and SX280 HS.

As you can see, the two cameras posses the exact same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor measurements. The S120 has the bigger sensor which is going to make getting bokeh less difficult. The more recent S120 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon S120 vs Canon SX280 HS sensor size comparison

Canon S120 vs Canon SX280 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S120 vs Canon SX280 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S120 Portrait photography information
Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography information
42
has manual focus
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
34
manual focus
offers face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon S120 Street photography advice
Canon SX280 HS Street photography advice
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
features focus by touch
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (217g)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (233g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon S120 Sports photography highlights
Canon SX280 HS Sports photography highlights
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect autofocus
36
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (210 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon S120 Travel photography highlights
Canon SX280 HS Travel photography highlights
67
features focus by touch
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
more heavy than competition (217 grams)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
61
lighter than average in class (233g)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
no Time Lapse function
low battery (210 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon S120
Landscape photography with Canon SX280 HS
57
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
41
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
low battery (210 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon S120 Vlogging features
Canon SX280 HS Vlogging features
35
quite wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (217g)
34
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (233 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic support
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Canon S120 vs Canon SX280 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S120 and Canon SX280 HS
 Canon PowerShot S120Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot S120 Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-11-26 2013-03-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 6 Digic 6
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/1.8-5.7 f/3.5-6.8
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 922k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/3200 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 217g (0.48 pounds) 233g (0.51 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.9 not tested
DXO Low light score 246 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 images 210 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $449 $325