Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX30 IS

On this page, we are evaluating the Canon SX120 IS and Canon SX30 IS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both produced by Canon. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX120 IS (10MP) and SX30 IS (14MP) and the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and SX30 IS (1/2.3") provide different sensor measurements.

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The SX120 IS was introduced 13 months before the SX30 IS making them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Canon SX120 IS being a Compact camera and the Canon SX30 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SX120 IS grades against the SX30 IS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS and Canon PowerShot SX30 IS. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SX120 IS Gallery and Canon SX30 IS Gallery.

If you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX120 IS enjoys outer measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") and a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) and the Canon SX30 IS has sizing of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") having a weight of 601 grams (1.32 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX120 IS and Canon SX30 IS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SX120 IS compared to the SX30 IS.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX120 IS and SX30 IS is 87 and 64 respectively.

Typically, its tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading specifications. The graphic here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SX120 IS and SX30 IS.

Plainly, the two cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SX120 IS with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Canon SX30 IS will deliver greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The older SX120 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.