Canon S120 vs Panasonic FX78
92 Imaging
37 Features
57 Overall
45


95 Imaging
35 Features
31 Overall
33
Canon S120 vs Panasonic FX78 Key Specs
(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
- Announced November 2013
- Older Model is Canon S110
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
- 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
- Revealed January 2011
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX77

Canon S120 vs Panasonic FX78 Overview
Below, we will be looking at the Canon S120 vs Panasonic FX78, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S120 (12MP) and the FX78 (12MP) is pretty similar but the S120 (1/1.7") and FX78 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

The S120 was launched 2 years after the FX78 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a simple view of how the S120 grades versus the FX78 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon S120 vs Panasonic FX78 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot S120 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78. The complete galleries are provided at Canon S120 Gallery & Panasonic FX78 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Panasonic FX78
S120 | FX78 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | November 2013 | ![]() | January 2011 | Newer by 35 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+692k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Canon S120
FX78 | S120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 3.5" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Common features in the Canon S120 and Panasonic FX78
S120 | FX78 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Canon S120 vs Panasonic FX78 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon S120 features outside dimensions 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 Panasonic FX78 has measurements of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).
Look at the Canon S120 vs Panasonic FX78 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the S120 and the FX78.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S120 and FX78 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Panasonic FX78 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing specifications. The pic here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S120 and FX78.
Plainly, both of these cameras have got the exact same megapixels albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The S120 includes the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF less difficult. The younger S120 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon S120 vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon S120 vs Panasonic FX78 Specifications
Canon PowerShot S120 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot S120 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 |
Other name | - | Lumix DMC-FX77 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2013-11-26 | 2011-01-25 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 6 | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
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 |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 24-120mm (5.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/1.8-5.7 | f/2.5-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3.5 inches |
Resolution of screen | 922 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 60s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1400s |
Continuous shooting speed | 12.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m | 5.60 m |
Flash settings | Auto, on, slow synchro, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 217g (0.48 lbs) | 142g (0.31 lbs) |
Dimensions | 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") |
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 shots | 200 shots |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $449 | $210 |