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Canon S120 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
57
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot S120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Canon S120 vs Panasonic SZ3 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
  • Older Model is Canon S110
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2013
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Canon S120 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Below is a complete review of the Canon S120 and Panasonic SZ3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the S120 (12MP) and SZ3 (16MP) and the S120 (1/1.7") and SZ3 (1/2.3") have different sensor dimensions.

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The S120 was launched 11 months later than the SZ3 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the S120 scores against the SZ3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Panasonic SZ3

 S120 SZ3 
LaunchedNovember 2013January 2013More recent by 11 months
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Canon S120

 SZ3 S120 

Common features in the Canon S120 and Panasonic SZ3

 S120 SZ3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Canon S120 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon S120 has outer 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 Panasonic SZ3 has dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Canon S120 and Panasonic SZ3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the S120 and the SZ3.

Canon S120 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S120 and SZ3 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Canon S120 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to picture the contrast in sensor measurements merely by going through specs. The visual underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the S120 and SZ3.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The S120 because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic SZ3 will produce extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The fresher S120 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon S120 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Canon S120 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S120 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S120 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography factors
42
you can focus manually
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
30
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon S120 Street photography info
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography info
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
supports touch focus
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
heavier than others in class (217g)
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon S120 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect auto focus
41
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon S120 Travel photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography factors
67
supports touch focus
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
heavier than others in class (217 grams)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
no Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon S120 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography advice
57
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
39
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon S120
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
35
fairly wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic jack
heavier than others in class (217g)
31
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone socket
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Canon S120 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S120 and Panasonic SZ3
 Canon PowerShot S120Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot S120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-11-26 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/1.8-5.7 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 922 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 4.10 m
Flash settings Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 217g (0.48 pounds) 126g (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos 250 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $449 $150