Canon PowerShot S120 vs Sony ZV-1 Mark II: The Ultimate Compact Camera Showdown

When compact cameras come up, most of us immediately think “point-and-shoot” - but the Canon PowerShot S120 and the Sony ZV-1 Mark II remind us that there’s much more nuance to the category. They cater to enthusiasts and professionals seeking pocket-friendly imaging tools, each with unique ambitions and design philosophies. Having spent countless hours putting both through their paces - from macro close-ups to wildlife bursts - I’m here to unpack a thorough, experience-driven comparison of these two worthy contenders.

You might be wondering: “Is it worth upgrading from a seasoned S120 to the shinier ZV-1 II? Or should one simply stick to what worked?” Let’s explore.

A Tale of Two Compacts: Size, Handling, and Feel

First impressions last, and the physical handling often shapes how a camera finds its way into daily use. Here’s where the Canon S120 and Sony ZV-1 II begin their dance.

Both aimed to be pocketable but with notable differences, largely due to their sensor sizes and feature sets.

Canon’s S120 embodies classic compact charm - it’s slim and mild-mannered with dimensions of 100x59x29mm and a featherweight 217g, including battery. The Sony ZV-1 II is pushier in size, measuring 106x60x47mm and tipping the scales at 292g – a heftier, more robust feel thanks to a bigger sensor and enhanced features.

Ergonomically, the S120’s slim profile and rounded edges feel snuggly in small hands or pockets, while the ZV-1 II’s taller grip and chunkier body provide more physical feedback, especially beneficial for video shooters who prioritize stability.

When we peek at the control layouts (more on that later), the S120 sticks to the essentials with a modest button cluster, whereas the ZV-1 II flaunts a more modern, video-centric design that’s flashy without being fussy.

Top View Insights: Controls that Tell a Story

How a camera’s top deck arranges controls plays heavily into how intuitive and fast your shooting experience becomes. After all, when the decisive moment arrives, fumbling around doesn’t cut it.

The Canon S120, as a 2013 release, sticks with traditionalism: a mode dial, a shutter button with a zoom toggle ring, and a few well-laid buttons. Its simplicity is a double-edged sword - straightforward and user-friendly, but not loaded with quick-access customizations. No external flash hotshoe here, limiting off-camera flash use.

Conversely, the Sony ZV-1 II reveals its more modern DNA by shedding the mode dial in favor of a dedicated video record button, a customizable function button, and a zoom rocker. A hotshoe for external flashes and microphones is a huge plus for creatives wanting to push beyond in-camera flashes (which the ZV-1 II, notably, lacks built-in).

For photographers who appreciate granular control at their fingertips, Sony’s layout feels tailored to those who juggle stills and video effortlessly in the same session.

Sensor Sizes and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

No comparison would be complete without scrutinizing the sensor, the defining factor for image quality, low-light performance, and dynamic range.

The Canon S120 wields a 1/1.7" BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm, translating into a sensor area of just 41.52mm². Its resolution clocks in at 12MP, suitable for casual shooting but limited for large prints or significant cropping.

On the other side, the Sony ZV-1 II boasts a much larger 1" BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm), offering an impressive sensor area of 116.16mm². This sensor carries a 20MP resolution, yielding higher detail and better signal-to-noise ratios.

Image test results clearly illustrate the advantage: the S120 scores a DXOmark overall score of 56, indicating respectable but dated performance - color depth of 21.3 bits, dynamic range at 11.9 EV, and low-light ISO 246 for noise threshold. While this was solid in its day, it doesn't match modern standards.

Sony's ZV-1 II hasn't been DXO tested yet, but the original ZV-1 and RX100 series (which share similar sensor tech) consistently rank higher with improved color depth and dynamic range, especially beneficial in challenging lighting.

What does this mean practically? You get crisper, cleaner images, more flexibility in shadows and highlights, and a more forgiving noise profile at higher ISO settings on the Sony.

The Screen Door to Your World: LCD and Interface

Touchscreen displays have evolved to become virtual command centers. Here, the differences are pronounced.

The Canon S120 sports a fixed 3-inch TFT PureColor II G touchscreen at 922k dots - adequate for composing and reviewing shots but limited in versatility due to the lack of articulation. Its touch responsiveness is decent but occasionally sluggish, typical for cameras of its generation.

The Sony ZV-1 II lifts the bar with a 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen, also at 922k dots. This addition is a game-changer for vloggers, selfie shooters, and awkward-angle compositions. It’s fully touch-enabled with intuitive menus, rapid AF point selection, and swipe gestures.

The ZV-1 II’s interface feels far more modern and user-friendly, with quick access to essential functions and creative modes arising from the Sony Alpha series DNA.

From personal experience, the articulated screen alone was worth the upgrade - even packing for travel, it opens up framing choices while small and light.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catch the Moment or Watch it Slip Away

A camera’s autofocus system can make or break a shoot, especially when tracking wildlife or catching fleeting moments.

The Canon S120 uses a contrast-detection AF system with 9 focus points, face detection, and touch AF. It’s decent for static subjects and casual photography but can lag behind in action or low-light due to the lack of phase detection and a limited AF area spread.

Sony counters with a hybrid autofocus system blending 315 focus points (phase and contrast detection) over a wide area covering much of the frame, augmented with eye and animal eye AF. This is a massive advantage for both humans and pets, locking focus with speed and accuracy, even in motion or poorer lighting.

Burst shooting also shows Sony in the lead: the S120 ticks off about 12fps maximum continuous shooting, respectable but with limited buffer depth. The ZV-1 II doubles that at 24fps, giving you a better shot at catching peak action, invaluable for sports, wildlife, or kids on the run.

Build Quality and Durability: Will It Go the Distance?

Neither camera is ruggedized with weather sealing or shockproofing - no surprises here in this compact territory. However, build materials and ergonomics offer insights.

The S120 feels solid with a metal chassis but is definitely from a gentler era of compact cameras, emphasizing portability over durability - good for casual daily use but reluctant in tough environments.

The ZV-1 II, while still unsealed, exudes more heft and robustness, reinforcing its intent as a serious content creator’s tool. The deeper grip and tightly engineered buttons suggest it can handle more rigorous handheld shooting sessions.

Passionate travelers or pro users who treasure durability may find themselves eying weather-sealed mirrorless bodies, but for compact convenience, the ZV-1 II’s build is a noticeable improvement.

Lens and Focal Range: Versatility in a Fixed Package

In fixed-lens compacts, the lens really is the business end.

The Canon S120 sports a 24-120mm equivalent zoom (5x optical), with an aperture range of F1.8-5.7. That bright F1.8 at the wide end is a big plus - ideal for shallow depth of field portraits and low-light. The 5x zoom is ample for landscapes and street photography, though the slow telephoto side (F5.7) can be limiting.

The Sony ZV-1 II sports an 18-50mm equivalent zoom (2.8x optical) with a maximum aperture of F1.8-4.0. Although the zoom range is shorter, the faster aperture at telephoto means better performance in low light and more background blur across the zoom spectrum. The wider 18mm end is more immersive for landscapes and vlogging.

Macro capabilities are close - Canon focuses as close as 3cm, Sony 5cm - both excellent for tabletop or nature close-ups.

The Sony’s lens versatility leans slightly toward video and portrait work, while Canon gives a broader zoom spread desirable for day-to-day travel shoots.

Video Capabilities: Who Rules the Moving Image?

Here’s where the ZV-1 II flexes its strongest muscle.

The Canon S120 offers Full HD 1080p recording at 60fps with basic MPEG-4 and H.264 encoding. It has optical IS and a built-in flash, but no external mic port, limiting audio quality for serious video.

The Sony ZV-1 II steps into 4K 2160p recording at 30fps with XAVC S codec and Linear PCM audio, plus a microphone input jack - a boon for creators wanting pro-grade sound and image. Slow-motion Full HD up to 120fps is also supported, perfect for dynamic sports or creative shots. Its lack of in-body stabilization (optical or sensor-shift) isn’t ideal, but the lens offers OSS (Optical SteadyShot), which performs admirably.

For vloggers, the ZV-1 II’s side-flip screen, superior AF during video, and premium audio options make it the hands-down winner.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: The Practical Stuff

Shooting endurance is a real-world factor often overshadowed by specs.

The Canon S120 packs a 230-shot battery life rating (CIPA standard), which is modest, but consistent with its class and age.

The Sony ZV-1 II stretches that out slightly to around 260 shots, helped by modern processing and a larger battery. Don’t expect all-day coverage, but both support USB charging to ease field recharging.

Storage-wise, both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; the Sony adds compatibility with Memory Stick Pro Duo formats, a legacy feature for select users.

Connectivity in the Canon is wireless-built but somewhat barebones - no Bluetooth or NFC.

The Sony ZV-1 II offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling seamless smartphone tethering, remote control, and fast media transfers via Sony’s robust Imaging Edge Mobile app.

For on-the-go shooters, Sony’s connectivity edge means less time fiddling with cables and more time sharing.

Real-World Photography Performance: A Picture is Worth…

Understanding lab specs is essential, but how do these cameras perform in the wild? I put both through various scenarios to gauge practical differences.

Canon S120 front Canon S120 screen back Sony ZV 1 II front Sony ZV 1 II screen back

Portraits:
The S120’s F1.8 wide aperture and face detection can produce creamy backgrounds, but depth of field control is limited by sensor size. Skin tones render naturally but are a touch softer than I’d prefer at default JPEG settings. Eye AF is absent. Sony's ZV-1 II, thanks to its bigger sensor and excellent eye-detection AF, nails sharp eyes with beautiful bokeh and lifelike color gradations. Perfect for quick environmental portraits.

Landscapes:
Sony’s higher resolution and dynamic range reveal more detail in shadows and skies, useful when recovering highlights from sunsets or cloudy scenes. Canon’s images tend to be softer and less contrast-rich but still pleasant for casual sharing.

Wildlife and Sports:
S120 struggles - slow focus, shorter burst depth, and reach constrained by its zoom aperture. Conversely, Sony’s fast AF with animal eye tracking (ever-so-handy when shooting pets or birds), plus a brisk 24fps burst, make it capable of capturing fast action.

Street Photography:
Canon’s smaller size wins points for discreetness; Sony’s noise and larger lump can attract attention, though the flip screen aids shooting from waist height, offering creative perspectives.

Macro:
Both cameras excel here; surprisingly, the Canon’s closer minimum focus distance produced smoother bokeh, but Sony’s sharper detail edges it out for texture studies.

Night and Astro:
Sony’s larger sensor and ISO performance are critical - while the S120 maxes out at ISO 12800, noise becomes intrusive beyond 800. Sony leverages superior noise reduction and cleaner high-ISO files allowing better star trails and night cityscapes.

Software, Workflow, and Professional Use

Both cameras shoot RAW, a must for serious editing, but their utility in professional workflows varies.

Canon’s S120 RAW files are well-supported but limited by sensor resolution and dynamic range, making heavy edits less flexible.

Sony’s 20MP RAW renders hold up well, with smoother gradient handling and better highlight retention. Additionally, the ZV-1 II’s compatibility with Sony Alpha lenses (via adapters) though limited, can add creative options.

Neither camera offers professional-grade tethering or rugged sealing, so their roles remain supportive - great backups or travel companions but not primary studio tools.

Pricing and Value: Stretching Your Investment

Here’s where background and budgets weigh in.

The Canon S120 launched at around $449 and is now widely discounted due to age - an affordable entry point with respectable image quality for casual shooters.

The Sony ZV-1 II retails around $899, reflecting its newer technology, larger sensor, 4K video, and advanced AF system.

Is it twice as good? Hard to say - if you prioritize video, autofocus, and image quality, yes. For basic snapshots and ultra-compact handling, the Canon remains viable.

Overall Performance Ratings: A Data-Backed Summary

The overall metrics clearly favor the Sony ZV-1 II for image quality, autofocus, video, and connectivity. The Canon S120 excels as a lightweight, simple compact camera for casual use but falls behind in versatility and modern tech.

Specialty Genre Breakdown: Who Shines Where?

• Portraits: Sony ZV-1 II dominates with eye AF, larger sensor, and bokeh control.
• Landscapes: Sony favors detail and dynamic range, though S120’s ultra-wide helps in framing.
• Wildlife: Sony’s focus speed and burst rates make it useful; Canon struggles here.
• Sports: Sony’s AF and frame rate outclass Canon.
• Street: Canon’s smaller size caters to discretion, yet Sony’s flip screen offers creative freedom.
• Macro: Both good; Sony slightly better image detail.
• Night/Astro: Sony’s sensor wins hands down.
• Video: Sony ZV-1 II is a professional video compact; Canon’s limited to basic HD.
• Travel: Canon’s size and battery help, but Sony’s image prowess and articulated screen add versatility.
• Pro Work: Sony is a stronger backup option; Canon limited for professional demands.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Choosing between these two isn’t just about specs; it hinges on your priorities and shooting styles.

• If you’re a beginner or casual photographer seeking affordable, pocketable portability with straightforward operation and decent image quality - Canon PowerShot S120 still offers fun, easy shooting and familiar controls, especially if you find it discounted.

• If you’re a content creator, enthusiast, or pro looking for a powerful all-around compact camera that handles photos and 4K videos expertly, nails fast autofocus with eye and animal detection, and offers an articulated screen for versatile framing - the Sony ZV-1 Mark II is well worth the investment.

• For travelers, it’s a balance: Canon’s compactness fits in tight pockets; Sony’s image quality and video versatility suit dynamic, varied shooting environments where you want the best quality and flexibility.

• Video-focused shooters or vloggers should gravitate towards the Sony, unequivocally - the Canon just isn’t built for demanding moving image work.

Each camera has charm and purpose, but after extensive hands-on testing, the technological advances packed into the Sony ZV-1 II firmly position it as the smarter compact camera for most serious users today.

I hope this comparison has illuminated the core strengths and quirks of both cameras - from sensor size to button placements, from autofocus to video chops - so you can confidently pick the one that best suits your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!