Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS
92 Imaging
34 Features
42 Overall
37


87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31
Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 28-105mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 195g - 100 x 58 x 31mm
- Released April 2010
- Replacement is Canon S95
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
- 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
- Revealed August 2009

Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS Overview
On this page, we are evaluating the Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both of them are manufactured by Canon. The sensor resolution of the S90 (10MP) and the SX120 IS (10MP) is very comparable but the S90 (1/1.7") and SX120 IS (1/2.5") posses totally different sensor sizes.

The S90 was brought out 8 months after the SX120 IS which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the S90 scores vs the SX120 IS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot S90 & Canon PowerShot SX120 IS. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon S90 Gallery & Canon SX120 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon S90 over the Canon SX120 IS
S90 | SX120 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2010 | ![]() | August 2009 | More modern by 8 months |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Canon S90
SX120 IS | S90 |
---|
Common features in the Canon S90 and Canon SX120 IS
S90 | SX120 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon S90 features physical dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") and a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Canon SX120 IS has measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") and a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the S90 versus the SX120 IS.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the S90 and SX120 IS is 92 and 87 respectively.

Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes purely by checking out specs. The image below may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the S90 and SX120 IS.
All in all, each of these cameras provide the same resolution but not the same sensor sizes. The S90 offers the larger sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult. The newer S90 will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot S90 | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Canon |
Model | Canon PowerShot S90 | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2010-04-08 | 2009-08-19 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | Digic 4 |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.5" |
Sensor measurements | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 3:2 |
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-105mm (3.8x) | 36-360mm (10.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | f/2.8-4.3 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 461k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 15 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/2500 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 6.50 m | 3.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/500 seconds | 1/500 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
Video data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 195 grams (0.43 lbs) | 285 grams (0.63 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 100 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 46 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.2 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.0 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 185 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery model | NB-6L | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail pricing | $599 | $249 |