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Canon S120 vs Olympus PEN-F

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
57
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot S120 front
 
Olympus PEN-F front
Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67

Canon S120 vs Olympus PEN-F 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
  • Released November 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon S110
Olympus PEN-F
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
  • Introduced January 2016
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Canon S120 vs Olympus PEN-F Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Canon S120 versus Olympus PEN-F, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Canon and Olympus. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the S120 (12MP) and PEN-F (20MP) and the S120 (1/1.7") and PEN-F (Four Thirds) posses different sensor measurements.

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The S120 was announced 3 years prior to the PEN-F and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Canon S120 being a Compact camera and the Olympus PEN-F being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the S120 matches up vs the PEN-F in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Olympus PEN-F

 S120 PEN-F 

Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Canon S120

 PEN-F S120 
IntroducedJanuary 2016November 2013Fresher by 26 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k922kSharper display (+115k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon S120 and Olympus PEN-F

 S120 PEN-F 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Canon S120 vs Olympus PEN-F Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon S120 has 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 Olympus PEN-F has proportions of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") with a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs).

Examine the Canon S120 versus Olympus PEN-F in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the S120 against the PEN-F.

Canon S120 vs Olympus PEN-F size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S120 and PEN-F is 92 and 84 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Olympus PEN-F top view buttons comparison

Canon S120 vs Olympus PEN-F Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizing just by going through specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S120 and PEN-F.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The S120 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Olympus PEN-F will produce more detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images way more aggressively. The older S120 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon S120 vs Olympus PEN-F sensor size comparison

Canon S120 vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S120 vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon S120
Portrait photography with Olympus PEN-F
42
focusing manually
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW files
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
75
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon S120 as a Street photography camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Street photography camera
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
boasts focus by touch
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
more heavy than competitors in class (217g)
84
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
offers focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Canon S120 Sports photography info
Olympus PEN-F Sports photography info
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect auto focus
67
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
not so great battery (330 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon S120 Travel photography highlights
Olympus PEN-F Travel photography highlights
67
boasts focus by touch
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
more heavy than competitors in class (217g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
75
offers focus via touch
resolution is good (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery (330 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon S120 Landscape photography advice
Olympus PEN-F Landscape photography advice
57
focusing manually
fairly wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
76
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
not so great battery (330 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon S120
Vlogging with Olympus PEN-F
35
fairly wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no microphone port
more heavy than competitors in class (217 grams)
78
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Canon S120 vs Olympus PEN-F Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S120 and Olympus PEN-F
 Canon PowerShot S120Olympus PEN-F
General Information
Brand Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot S120 Olympus PEN-F
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2013-11-26 2016-01-27
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 6 TruePic VII
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 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
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 12800 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 81
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/1.8-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 4.8 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 922 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.62x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 12.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, on, slow synchro, off Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain)
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 gr (0.48 lb) 427 gr (0.94 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 74
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 23.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.9 12.4
DXO Low light rating 246 894
Other
Battery life 230 images 330 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at launch $449 $1,000