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Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
42
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot S90 front
 
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS Key Specs

Canon S90
(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
Canon SX120 IS
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon S90 over the Canon SX120 IS

 S90 SX120 IS 
RevealedApril 2010August 2009More modern by 8 months
Display resolution461k230kSharper 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS size comparison

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

Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S90 as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SX120 IS as a Portrait photography camera
40
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/500s)
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
33
manual focus
high flash sync (1/500s)
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon S90 as a Street photography camera
Canon SX120 IS as a Street photography camera
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/1.7")
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than competition (285 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon S90 Sports photography advice
Canon SX120 IS Sports photography advice
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
has no phase detect AF
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon S90 as a Travel photography camera
Canon SX120 IS as a Travel photography camera
63
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
lack of Timelapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
great zoom (360mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (285g)
megapixel count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon S90 as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SX120 IS as a Landscape photography camera
52
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
lack of Timelapse mode
36
manual focus
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon S90 Vlogging highlights
Canon SX120 IS Vlogging highlights
31
quite wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
more heavy than competition (285g)
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Canon S90 vs Canon SX120 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S90 and Canon SX120 IS
 Canon PowerShot S90Canon 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