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Canon S120 vs Canon SX220 HS

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot S120 front
 
Canon SX220 HS front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38

Canon S120 vs Canon SX220 HS Key Specs

Canon S120
(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
Canon SX220 HS
(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
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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.

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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.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Canon SX220 HS

 S120 SX220 HS 
RevealedNovember 2013February 2011More recent by 35 months
Screen resolution922k461kClearer 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon S120 vs Canon SX220 HS size comparison

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

Canon S120 vs Canon SX220 HS top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon S120 vs Canon SX220 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S120 vs Canon SX220 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S120 Portrait photography features
Canon SX220 HS Portrait photography features
42
focusing manually
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
38
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
has face detection focusing
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon S120 Street photography highlights
Canon SX220 HS Street photography highlights
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than others (217g)
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon S120 Sports photography information
Canon SX220 HS Sports photography information
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
36
excellent zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (210 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon S120 Travel photography details
Canon SX220 HS Travel photography details
67
boasts touch to focus
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
more heavy than others (217 grams)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
long reach (392mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (210 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon S120 Landscape photography advice
Canon SX220 HS Landscape photography advice
57
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
41
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery power (210 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon S120 as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX220 HS as a Vlogging camera
35
pretty wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone support
more heavy than others (217g)
34
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone support
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Canon S120 vs Canon SX220 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S120 and Canon SX220 HS
 Canon PowerShot S120Canon 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