Canon S120 vs Canon SX220 HS
92 Imaging
37 Features
57 Overall
45


96 Imaging
35 Features
43 Overall
38
Canon S120 vs Canon SX220 HS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- 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
- Replaced the Canon S110
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- n/ag - 106 x 59 x 33mm
- Revealed February 2011

Canon S120 vs Canon SX220 HS Overview
On this page, we will be matching up the Canon S120 and Canon SX220 HS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both produced by Canon. The image resolution of the S120 (12MP) and the SX220 HS (12MP) is relatively similar but the S120 (1/1.7") and SX220 HS (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.

The S120 was introduced 2 years later than the SX220 HS and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the S120 scores against the SX220 HS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon S120 vs Canon SX220 HS Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot S120 and Canon SX220 HS. The whole galleries are provided at Canon S120 Gallery and Canon SX220 HS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Canon SX220 HS
S120 | SX220 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | November 2013 | ![]() | February 2011 | More recent by 35 months |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 461k | Clearer screen (+461k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Canon SX220 HS over the Canon S120
SX220 HS | S120 |
---|
Common features in the Canon S120 and Canon SX220 HS
S120 | SX220 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen |
Canon S120 vs Canon SX220 HS Physical Comparison
When you are planning to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Canon S120 enjoys exterior measurements 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 SX220 HS has specifications of 106mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).
Look at the Canon S120 and Canon SX220 HS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the S120 against the SX220 HS.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S120 and SX220 HS is 92 and 96 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Canon SX220 HS Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be hard to visualize the difference between sensor measurements only by reviewing technical specs. The visual here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S120 and SX220 HS.
As you can tell, each of these cameras provide the same megapixel count albeit different sensor measurements. The S120 offers the bigger sensor which should make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult. The more recent S120 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Canon S120 vs Canon SX220 HS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon S120 vs Canon SX220 HS Specifications
Canon PowerShot S120 | Canon SX220 HS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Canon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot S120 | Canon SX220 HS |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2013-11-26 | 2011-02-07 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 6 | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 41.5mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 28-392mm (14.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/1.8-5.7 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 922 thousand dots | 461 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD | PureColor II TG TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 15 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/3200 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 12.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, on, slow synchro, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/2000 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30,120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | H.264 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 217 grams (0.48 lb) | - |
Physical dimensions | 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 106 x 59 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.3" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 56 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.3 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.9 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 246 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 photographs | 210 photographs |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | NB-5L |
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/MMC/ MMCplus/HC MMCplus |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $449 | $399 |