Canon S120 vs Pentax S1
92 Imaging
37 Features
57 Overall
45


93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Canon S120 vs Pentax S1 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed November 2013
- Previous Model is Canon S110
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
- Announced March 2011

Canon S120 vs Pentax S1 Overview
Below is a extended overview of the Canon S120 and Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the S120 (12MP) and the S1 (14MP) is very similar but the S120 (1/1.7") and S1 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.

The S120 was revealed 2 years later than the S1 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the S120 matches up against the S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon S120 vs Pentax S1 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot S120 and Pentax Optio S1. The full galleries are provided at Canon S120 Gallery and Pentax S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Pentax S1
S120 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | November 2013 | ![]() | March 2011 | More recent by 34 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+692k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Canon S120
S1 | S120 |
---|
Common features in the Canon S120 and Pentax S1
S120 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen |
Canon S120 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon S120 comes with external 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 Pentax S1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).
Analyze the Canon S120 and Pentax S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the S120 versus the S1.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S120 and S1 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements purely by going over specs. The photograph underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the S120 and S1.
All in all, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The S120 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Pentax S1 will deliver more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The newer S120 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Canon S120 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon S120 vs Pentax S1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot S120 | Pentax Optio S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot S120 | Pentax Optio S1 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2013-11-26 | 2011-03-02 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 6 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4288 x 3216 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/1.8-5.7 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus range | 3cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 922 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1500 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 12.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 7.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, on, slow synchro, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 217 gr (0.48 lb) | 157 gr (0.35 lb) |
Dimensions | 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 images | 260 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-6LH | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail price | $449 | $174 |