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Canon S120 vs Sony WX5

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
57
Overall
44
Canon PowerShot S120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
29
Overall
32

Canon S120 vs Sony WX5 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
  • Earlier Model is Canon S110
Sony WX5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
  • Revealed July 2010
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Canon S120 vs Sony WX5 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Canon S120 versus Sony WX5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. The resolution of the S120 (12MP) and the WX5 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the S120 (1/1.7") and WX5 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The S120 was announced 3 years after the WX5 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a simple summary of how the S120 scores against the WX5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Sony WX5

 S120 WX5 
RevealedNovember 2013July 2010Newer by 42 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen dimension3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution922k461kClearer screen (+461k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Canon S120

 WX5 S120 

Common features in the Canon S120 and Sony WX5

 S120 WX5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Canon S120 vs Sony WX5 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Canon S120 enjoys outside dimensions of 100mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 217 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Sony WX5 has specifications of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") with a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).

Examine the Canon S120 versus Sony WX5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the S120 and the WX5.

Canon S120 vs Sony WX5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S120 and WX5 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Sony WX5 top view buttons comparison

Canon S120 vs Sony WX5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions simply by checking a spec sheet. The pic below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the S120 and WX5.

Clearly, both of the cameras posses the exact same MP albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The S120 provides the bigger sensor which should make getting shallower depth of field simpler. The fresher S120 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon S120 vs Sony WX5 sensor size comparison

Canon S120 vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S120 vs Sony WX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S120 Portrait photography highlights
Sony WX5 Portrait photography highlights
41
has manual focus
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
20
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon S120 Street photography highlights
Sony WX5 Street photography highlights
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
provides touch focus
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/1.7")
heavier than average in class (217g)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon S120 as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX5 as a Sports photography camera
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect auto focus
33
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon S120 Travel photography advice
Sony WX5 Travel photography advice
66
provides touch focus
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
heavier than average in class (217g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
58
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon S120 Landscape photography highlights
Sony WX5 Landscape photography highlights
56
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
36
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (2.8 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
manual mode not available
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon S120
Vlogging with Sony WX5
35
pretty wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic support
heavier than average in class (217g)
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone socket
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Canon S120 vs Sony WX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S120 and Sony WX5
 Canon PowerShot S120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot S120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-11-26 2010-07-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 6 Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/1.8-5.7 f/2.4-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.8"
Screen resolution 922k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 5.10 m
Flash modes Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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 217 gr (0.48 lbs) 146 gr (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" 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 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $449 $250