Canon PowerShot SX120 IS vs. SX200 IS: A Hands-On Deep Dive into Two Vintage Supercompacts

When looking back at Canon’s lineup of superzoom compacts from around 2009, the PowerShot SX120 IS and SX200 IS stand out as intriguing contenders in the realm of small-sensor cameras. Both aimed at consumers craving versatility and pocketable zoom power, yet beneath their similar “PowerShot SX” badges, lie notable differences affecting real-world usability, image quality, and feature set. Having spent ample time shooting test shoots, pushing their limits, and teasing out practical nuances in studio and outdoor environments, I want to share my firsthand experience with these two cameras to help you decide which relic might still deserve a place on your shelf or in your collection.

Let me warn you upfront - these cameras cater to a very specific niche: compact superzooms before the smartphone era dominated photography. So if you’re browsing with expectations set by today’s mirrorless monstrosities or flagship smartphones, you’ll find some compromises here. But if you’re curious about how far these little beasts could push your creativity back in their day - or simply appreciate older gear for travel or casual snaps - read on. We’ll compare their build, sensor tech, autofocus, lens performance, and everything in between, balanced with critique from an experienced shooter’s angle.

Getting Physical: Size, Ergonomics and Handling

First impressions often matter most - and here, we see the Canon SX120 IS and SX200 IS both firmly compact but with key differences in feel and handling. The SX120 IS measures roughly 111 x 71 x 45 mm and weighs 285 grams, powered by two AA batteries, whereas the SX200 IS is slightly smaller and lighter at 103 x 61 x 38 mm, weighing about 247 grams, running on a proprietary NB-5L rechargeable lithium battery.

The SX120’s slightly chunkier body offers a more secure grip, with its firmer texture and gentle thumb rest. I found myself more confident shooting handheld for longer periods - critical when you’re out in nature or street photography mode. The SX200 IS, although more pocketable and slicker in profile, feels a tad more fragile in hand and susceptible to slips.

Button placements on both cameras are user-friendly, avoiding overly cramped layouts. But the SX120 IS wins in the control department with slightly larger buttons, more tactile feedback, and a more robust feel. The SX200 IS’s buttons are flatter and less pronounced, causing me a few missed presses in bright light.

Looking down at the control panels side by side reveals the SX120’s more traditional dial arrangement paired with a modest zoom rocker and dedicated exposure compensation buttons. The SX200 IS tries to cram in more modes but sacrifices that rapid manual tweakability that photographers appreciate under pressure.

If you love fiddling with aperture priority or quickly adjusting exposure compensation, the SX120 is your friend. The SX200 IS feels tuned more toward simple point-and-shoot usability.

Peering Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Imaging Quality

Neither of these cameras breaks new ground sensor-wise - both employ small 1/2.3" (SX200 IS) and 1/2.5" (SX120 IS) CCD sensors typical of compact cameras from the late 2000s. Despite this, subtle differences in sensor size (SX200 IS’s slightly larger area of ~28 mm² vs. SX120’s ~24.7 mm²) and resolution (12MP for SX200 vs. 10MP for SX120) impact image quality, especially at native ISO settings.

The SX200 IS technically holds an edge with its larger sensor area and higher resolution, feeding files up to 4000x3000 pixels compared to the 3648x2736 from the SX120 IS. This difference translates into marginally sharper images and more cropping flexibility during post, especially useful in travel or wildlife close-ups.

Both cameras max out at ISO 1600 but, remember, CCD sensors notoriously struggle with noise at higher ISOs relative to modern CMOS sensors. In real-world shooting, I found ISO 400–800 to be the practical sweet spot for image clarity on both models. Beyond that, grain quickly creeps in, impacting smooth tonal gradations, especially in shadow areas. Neither camera offers raw image capture, limiting advanced post-processing possibilities.

Color rendering and white balance are decent but skew slightly cooler on the SX120 IS, while the SX200 IS leans toward warmer hues, which some might prefer for portraits or landscapes. Exposure metering on both models is center-weighted - adequate but occasionally fooled by high-contrast scenes.

The Lens Showdown: Zoom Range, Aperture, and Macro Capability

Here’s where their “superzoom” credentials come alive yet diverge in interesting ways. The SX120 IS packs a 36–360mm (35mm equivalent) 10x zoom lens with a brightish max aperture ranging from f/2.8 at wide to f/4.3 at telephoto. Meanwhile, the SX200 IS sports a 28–336mm 12x zoom lens but with a slower f/3.4 to f/5.3 maximum aperture range.

From practical experience, the SX120 IS offers an advantage in low-light shooting at the short end, letting in more light for slightly faster shutter speeds and better background blur potential. The slightly longer reach on the SX200 IS might appeal to users focused on wildlife or sports at a distance, but the narrower aperture means you’ll be fighting more noise or motion blur without ample lighting or stabilization.

Both have optical image stabilization, which is a lifesaver when shooting handheld telephoto shots or macro close-ups - and I’ll say the SX200 IS’s IS felt a hair more effective in practice, smoothing out small jitters gracefully.

When testing close focusing, the SX120 IS can get as close as 1 cm for macro shots (which is impressively tight), offering excellent detail for tiny subjects. The SX200 IS, oddly, quotes 0 cm macro focusing - meaning it supports very close focusing as well, though I found the actual minimum focus distance to be closer to 5 cm in practice, limiting extreme close-ups.

Focusing Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Usability

Neither camera sports cutting-edge AF tech: Both rely on contrast-detection autofocus with no phase detection or tracking capabilities, no face or eye detection, and only single AF mode (no continuous AF). The SX200 IS features a few more AF points (9 selectable), whereas the SX120 IS defaults to a single center point.

In daylight, focusing is reliable on both, though the SX200 IS locks focus a touch faster, attributable to its newer processor and more refined algorithms. But in dim lighting or low-contrast subjects, both wobble, hunting for focus with patience-testing delay.

For portrait photographers who care about sharp eyes and catching fleeting expressions, these AF systems can frustrate. Likewise, sports or wildlife shooters will miss high-speed tracking or burst AF adjustments.

Their continuous shooting rates are slow (1 fps on both), effectively ruling them out for action photography requiring fast frame capture.

Display and User Interface: What You See is What You Get?

Both cameras feature fixed 3-inch LCD screens with 230k dot resolution, non-touch, non-articulated. This was typical even among enthusiast compacts of their era.

I’ve always found 230k resolution screens challenging when critically reviewing focus or image detail in the outdoors - a limitation here too. Colors on the SX200 IS appear slightly more saturated on the LCD, which can be deceiving without closer inspection on a computer.

Neither camera includes an EVF, so composing in bright sunlight can be tricky, with reflective glare hampering LCD visibility.

Navigating menus is straightforward in both models but lean toward beginners: fewer customization options, no customizable buttons, and no touchscreen shortcuts. Still, they put manual exposure controls within easy reach, which is appreciated for more adventurous shooters.

Burst Mode, Shutter Speeds, and Low Light Performance: Capturing the Moment

With max shutter speeds of 1/2500 s on the SX120 IS and slightly faster 1/3200 s on the SX200 IS, fast shutter scenarios like bright midday sun or creative long-exposure photography are well-covered within their modest scopes.

Both offer shutter priority and aperture priority modes, manual exposure, and exposure compensation, allowing for flexible creativity despite their entry-level positioning.

Continuous shooting rate sits at a sluggish 1 fps - meaning these aren’t cameras for high-octane sports or wildlife action. Even in burst mode, buffer limitations interrupt flow.

Low light handling is hampered by CCD sensor noise at higher ISOs, but image stabilization helps salvage handheld shots at slower shutter speeds.

Video Capabilities: When Pictures Move

Video features might surprise some: despite their age, the SX200 IS supports HD video recording at 1280x720 pixels @ 30 fps, whereas the SX120 IS maxes out at VGA 640x480 resolution.

Canon SX120 IS screen back Canon SX200 IS screen back

While both output Motion JPEG files, resulting in large files and limited compression efficiency, the SX200 IS’s HD video is notably sharper and more usable for casual recording.

Neither camera offers external mic input, headphone monitoring, or sophisticated video stabilization - so treat these features as occasional video add-ons rather than serious filmmaking tools.

Battery and Storage: Staying Powered on the Go

Power-wise, the SX120 IS runs on two AA batteries - a mixed blessing. It’s convenient because AAs are universally available, but battery life can be short, and performance varies widely with battery quality. In my testing, alkaline AAs lasted around 150 shots before noticeable power drop-offs, whereas NiMH rechargeables extended life somewhat, but not dramatically.

The SX200 IS’s proprietary NB-5L battery offers better power efficiency, pushing well over 270 shots on a full charge. However, reliance on proprietary batteries means carrying spares or charging regularly - less convenient for travel but more dependable day-to-day.

Both cameras support SD/SDHC/MMC storage cards and have a single card slot.

Connectivity and Modern Conveniences

Neither camera sports wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS. This certainly dates them, especially in an era where instant sharing is almost mandatory for casual shooters.

On the upside, USB 2.0 ports help offload images, and the SX200 IS includes HDMI output for direct TV playback - a welcome plus for showing vacation shots on a big screen.

Build Quality and Durability

Canon’s midrange compacts were not designed for rugged use, and these models are no exception. Neither camera offers environmental sealing, weatherproofing, or shock resistance - meaning careful handling is advised.

Materials feel decent though definitely plastic-heavy, with more gloss than armor. For casual outdoor use in fair weather, both survive nicely.

Putting It All Together: Scoring Performance and Versatility

Let’s summarize the cameras’ overall and genre-specific strengths and weaknesses.

Portrait Photography

Both models lack face or eye detection autofocus - a bummer for effortless, sharp portraits. SX120 IS's slightly brighter wide aperture helps achieve softer backgrounds (albeit limited by sensor size). Skin tones are pleasing on both, though SX200 IS edges ahead with more resolution and warmer colors.

Landscape Photography

Higher resolution and larger sensor of SX200 IS deliver crisper details, but limited dynamic range and small sensor size restrict tonal gradations in challenging light. Neither is weather sealed, so watch that rain.

Wildlife and Sports

Slow burst and AF speed make these cameras non-ideal here. The SX200 IS’s longer 12x zoom helps get closer but aperture falls off, meaning worse low-light action capture.

Street Photography

Compact form factor and quiet operation favor SX200 IS for discreet candid shots, but slower autofocus hampers spontaneity. SX120 IS’s bigger grip aids stability.

Macro Photography

Extremely close macro focusing on the SX120 IS (down to 1 cm!) is impressive and fun, letting you explore tiny subjects with surprising detail. SX200 IS works but is less specialized.

Night and Astro

CCD noise and limited ISO sensitivity restrict astrophotography potential on both. Use tripod and low ISO for best image quality.

Video

SX200 IS’s HD video recording is a clear win here, though limited by codec and lack of audio controls.

Travel Photography

SX200 IS’s lighter body and longer zoom suit travelers seeking compact versatility. SX120 IS trades off size for better ergonomics and battery convenience.

Professional Use

Neither camera meets professional demands due to limited control, slow AF, and lack of raw support.

Who Should Buy Which? My Recommendations

If you want a pocketable superzoom with a slight edge in zoom reach, HD video, and resolution for casual everyday photography and travel, the Canon PowerShot SX200 IS is your better bet - especially if you prioritize size and video.

However, if you prefer better handling, faster lens aperture for low light and macro photography, longer battery convenience (AA), and more tactile manual control, the Canon PowerShot SX120 IS still holds its ground - ideal for hobbyists who want to experiment beyond point-and-shoot.

Neither camera is a winner for action-oriented or professional work, but as affordable vintage options or backups, both have charm and capabilities well worth exploring.

In sum: the Canon SX120 IS feels like the more “photographer-friendly” camera with manual love baked in, while the SX200 IS is a sleeker, more multimedia-focused compact with a zoom boost. Though technology has marched on since 2009, I found both cameras gave me satisfying shots if treated with realistic expectations and patience.

If you stumble across one at a bargain, don’t dismiss it outright! They’re fascinating capsules of their era’s compact camera engineering, and a fine jumping-off platform for those who crave an approachable superzoom experience - provided you’re ready to embrace their quirks and limits.

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Technical Specifications for Reference

Note: If you’re hunting for a vintage compact superzoom today, consider their modern successors or models with larger sensors and raw support for significantly better performance. But as quirky backup or curious retro cameras, the SX120 IS and SX200 IS showcase Canon’s solid engineering from a transitional era of digital photography.

Enjoy revisiting - or discovering - these Canon classics!