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Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L120

Portability
64
Imaging
33
Features
53
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L120 Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Announced March 2009
Nikon L120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
  • Launched February 2011
  • Previous Model is Nikon L110
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Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L120 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Canon SX1 IS and Nikon L120, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and L120 (14MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX1 IS was revealed 22 months earlier than the L120 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX1 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon L120 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SX1 IS scores against the L120 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Nikon L120

 SX1 IS L120 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Canon SX1 IS

 L120 SX1 IS 
LaunchedFebruary 2011March 2009Newer by 22 months
Display sizing3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Nikon L120

 SX1 IS L120 
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L120 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX1 IS features external dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") along with a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) while the Nikon L120 has proportions of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") along with a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX1 IS and Nikon L120 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the SX1 IS vs the L120.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L120 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SX1 IS and L120 is 64 and 75 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L120 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to envision the gap in sensor dimensions just by checking out specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX1 IS and L120.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon L120 to show greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged SX1 IS will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L120 sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Portrait photography camera
46
manual focus
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
33
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Street photography info
Nikon L120 Street photography info
56
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
very small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (615 grams)
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Sports photography info
Nikon L120 Sports photography info
33
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
43
excellent zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
low fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX1 IS
Travel photography with Nikon L120
52
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
rather wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (615 grams)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
60
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (525mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon L120 as a Landscape photography camera
44
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (2.8")
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse mode
40
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Vlogging factors
Nikon L120 Vlogging factors
57
rather wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
missing mic socket
heavier than competition (615 grams)
27
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
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Canon SX1 IS vs Nikon L120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Nikon L120
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISNikon Coolpix L120
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Nikon Coolpix L120
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-03-27 2011-02-09
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed C2
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing range 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 615 grams (1.36 lbs) 431 grams (0.95 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 330 images
Style of battery - AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $600 $300