Clicky

Canon S120 vs Nikon S31

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot S120 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27

Canon S120 vs Nikon S31 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
  • Released November 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon S110
Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Announced June 2013
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon S120 vs Nikon S31 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Canon S120 vs Nikon S31, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the S120 (12MP) and the S31 (10MP) is very similar but the S120 (1/1.7") and S31 (1/2.9") boast different sensor measurements.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The S120 was unveiled 6 months after the S31 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the S120 grades vs the S31 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

        

Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Nikon S31

 S120 S31 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Canon S120

 S31 S120 

Common features in the Canon S120 and Nikon S31

 S120 S31 
AnnouncedNovember 2013June 2013Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Canon S120 vs Nikon S31 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon S120 provides outside 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 Nikon S31 has dimensions of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Look at the Canon S120 vs Nikon S31 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the S120 vs the S31.

Canon S120 vs Nikon S31 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the S120 and S31 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Nikon S31 top view buttons comparison

Canon S120 vs Nikon S31 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes simply by going over specifications. The picture underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S120 and S31.

Plainly, both of those cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The S120 having a larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Canon S120 will offer greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively.

Canon S120 vs Nikon S31 sensor size comparison

Canon S120 vs Nikon S31 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S120 vs Nikon S31 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S120 Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S31 Portrait photography highlights
42
you can focus manually
has face detect focusing
exports RAW files
no external flash support
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
19
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
does not have RAW format
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Canon S120 Street photography highlights
Nikon S31 Street photography highlights
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
has touch to focus
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
more heavy than competitors in class (217g)
52
weather sealing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
does not have RAW format
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Canon S120 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S31 as a Sports photography camera
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect AF
24
weather sealing
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
does not have phase detect autofocus
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Canon S120 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S31 as a Travel photography camera
67
has touch to focus
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
more heavy than competitors in class (217g)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
59
weather sealing
flash built-in
good max aperture (f)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (29mm)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Canon S120 Landscape photography details
Nikon S31 Landscape photography details
57
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
30
good max aperture (f)
weather sealing
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Canon S120 Vlogging factors
Nikon S31 Vlogging factors
35
fairly wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (217g)
24
good max aperture (f)
wide angle not great (29mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
Photography Glossary

Canon S120 vs Nikon S31 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S120 and Nikon S31
 Canon PowerShot S120Nikon Coolpix S31
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot S120 Nikon Coolpix S31
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2013-11-26 2013-06-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.9"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 4.96 x 3.72mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 18.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 29-87mm (3.0x)
Max aperture f/1.8-5.7 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Crop factor 4.8 7.3
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 922k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m -
Flash options Auto, on, slow synchro, off -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 217 gr (0.48 lb) 185 gr (0.41 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7")
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 photographs 260 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD / SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $449 $90