Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX620 HS: Which Compact Superzoom Fits Your Creative Vision?

Choosing the right compact camera with a superzoom can be surprisingly complex given the sheer number of models across different generations. Today, we dive deep into two Canon PowerShot compacts - the SX120 IS, launched in 2009, and the SX620 HS from 2016. While they both belong to Canon’s small sensor compact lineup with significant zoom ranges, the technical leaps across seven years make for an intriguing contrast.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras, I’ll walk you through how these two hold up across key photography disciplines, sensor and autofocus technologies, ergonomic design, and overall real-world usability. Whether you want a camera for casual travel, wildlife snaps, or creative experimentation, this detailed comparison will help you find your best fit.

First Impressions: Design and Handling on a Compact Canvas

When picking a compact camera, ergonomics and control layout matter just as much as specs. The SX120 IS and SX620 HS are designed to be pocketable superzooms but approach handling differently.

The SX120 IS feels chunkier, largely because it runs on two AA batteries. This makes it a bit heavier but offers the convenience of swapping batteries almost anywhere globally without waiting for a recharge. Its slightly larger body houses a traditional manual focus ring and dedicated exposure modes - something you won’t find on the SX620 HS. This camera better suits photographers who want more tactile control despite its small size.

The SX620 HS is noticeably lighter and thinner, making it an excellent choice for travel and street photography where discretion matters. The trade-off is in control: it leans more toward a point-and-shoot experience with only basic exposure adjustments and no shutter/aperture priority or full manual mode. Ergonomically, it’s very pocket-friendly but can feel a bit cramped if you prefer physical dials and buttons.

Both cameras lack viewfinders, so you’ll be composing via their LCD screens.

Peering Into the Sensor: Image Quality and Resolution Battle

Image quality hinges heavily on sensor technology, size, and processing. While both cameras share a small sensor category, their generational gap shows in sensor design and resolution capabilities.

Sensor Technology and Implications

The SX120 IS features a CCD sensor, typical for compact cameras of its time. CCD sensors tend to excel in color fidelity and noise control at base ISOs but falter in low light and high ISO performance due to less efficient readout and energy use.

The SX620 HS upgrades to a BSI-CMOS sensor, which is far more common in modern cameras. Back-illuminated CMOS sensors collect light more efficiently, delivering better high ISO performance, faster readout speeds, and enabling improved autofocus capabilities.

Resolution and Detail

With double the megapixels, the SX620 HS can extract finer detail, beneficial if you print large images or crop. However, higher resolution on a small sensor can introduce noise trade-offs, often balancing out unless lighting is sufficient.

Color Depth and Dynamic Range

While neither camera has been tested on DxOMark, experience with similar Canon sensors suggests the SX620 HS’s newer BSI-CMOS sensor improves dynamic range, allowing better shadow recovery and highlight preservation in challenging lighting. The SX120 IS is more susceptible to clipped highlights and muddy shadows, especially at higher ISOs.

Zoom and Lens Performance: Putting Telephoto to the Test

Both models offer significant zoom reach, a highlight for travelers and wildlife snapshooters.

The SX620 HS offers an impressive 25× optical zoom with a wider wide-angle start at 25mm, versus the SX120 IS’s 10× zoom starting at 36mm. For landscape and architecture, the wider angle lets you capture more expansive scenes without stepping back.

However, the max aperture narrows quickly toward telephoto on the SX620 HS (f/6.6), which limits low-light telephoto shooting and creative shallow depth-of-field options compared with the slightly faster f/4.3 on the SX120 IS.

The 1cm macro focus on both is a nice bonus for close-ups, enabling creative detail shots in nature or product photography.

Viewing and Interface: LCD Screens and Controls in Practice

Your primary composing and reviewing tool for these compacts is their rear LCD. Let’s compare:

The SX620 HS has a vastly superior LCD resolution, offering crisp, detailed preview and review images. This clarity is particularly helpful when manually focusing or checking sharpness on location, which can be challenging with the low-res screen on the SX120 IS.

Neither camera has a touch interface, so navigation relies on physical buttons. The SX620 HS’s simpler control system can feel limiting if you like to quickly adjust exposure or autofocus modes.

Both cameras lack any form of viewfinder, which may deter photographers who prefer composing through an EVF or optical finder in bright conditions.

Autofocus and Shooting Experience: Speed and Accuracy Matter

Autofocus systems are critical to capturing those fleeting moments, especially for wildlife, sports, or street photography.

The SX620 HS’s autofocus is notably more advanced, employing 9 focus points and supporting face detection, allowing for more reliable focus acquisition on subjects, especially humans, under varied conditions.

The SX120 IS has a basic contrast detection system with no face detection and a single autofocus mode. This can lead to hunting in low contrast or low light situations.

Burst shooting rates reinforce the SX620 HS as the better choice for action sequences, albeit at a modest 2.5 frames per second. The SX120 IS’s 1 fps limits potential for capturing sports or wildlife in rapid motion.

Video Capabilities: From VGA to Full HD

Video is an increasingly important feature even in compact cameras.

The SX620 HS leaps ahead with Full HD recording and modern H.264 codec, delivering clearer and more versatile videos that hold up well on HD displays and editing workflows.

The SX120 IS is severely limited, offering only low-res VGA video, which is barely suitable for casual clips or social media sharing but falls short for serious video projects.

Neither camera supports external microphones, though the SX620 HS includes HDMI for external monitors or streaming setups.

Battery Life and Storage: Powering Your Adventures

Battery performance influences how long you can keep shooting without interruptions.

The SX120 IS’s AA batteries are a major advantage in remote conditions - no need to wait for charging, and you can buy replacements almost anywhere.

The SX620 HS offers longer overall runtime per charge thanks to modern battery tech but requires charging infrastructure.

Connectivity and Extras: Staying Modern

Connectivity today can enhance workflow and sharing.

The SX620 HS includes Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity allowing quick image transfer to smartphones and tablets, which is invaluable for social sharing and backup. HDMI output is another plus for direct playback on TVs or external devices.

The SX120 IS offers no wireless connectivity or HDMI, symbolizing the technological gulf between the two.

Real-World Photography Across Genres

Let's translate specs into practical use cases across popular photography styles.

Portrait Photography

• SX120 IS: The brighter aperture at wide end (f/2.8) enables better background separation and pleasant bokeh at shorter focal lengths. However, lack of face detection AF can frustrate fast shooters.
• SX620 HS: Face detection autofocus ensures eyes and faces are sharp, despite slower maximum aperture (f/3.2). Limited manual controls may restrict creative exposure tweaks.

Landscape Photography

• SX120 IS: Zoom limited to 36mm wide angle; may feel restrictive for ultra-wide vistas. Sensor dynamic range limited.
• SX620 HS: 25mm ultra-wide angle and higher resolution sensor provide sharper, expansive captures. However, weather sealing is absent on both, recommending care in harsh environments.

Wildlife and Sports

• SX120 IS: Slow burst rate (1 fps) and basic AF make it unsuitable for fast action.
• SX620 HS: Faster AF and 2.5 fps burst improve chances to capture movement, but the modest frame rate and no advanced tracking limit professional wildlife work.

Street Photography

• SX120 IS: Heavier with slower AF may hinder candid shooting.
• SX620 HS: Light, discreet, and quick AF make it more adept at catching fleeting street moments.

Macro Photography

Both cameras offer 1cm macro focusing capability, giving close-up versatility.

Night and Astrophotography

• SX620 HS benefits from better high ISO and longer shutter speed control. Still, compact sensor sizes limit astrophotography compared to larger sensor cameras.

Video Capabilities

Full HD on the SX620 HS makes it usable for casual video and vlogging; the SX120 IS’s VGA video is outdated.

Travel Photography

The SX620 HS dominates with size, weight, zoom range, and connectivity, making it a versatile travel companion.

Professional Workflows

Both cameras lack RAW support, limiting post-processing flexibility and professional usage.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Canon SX120 IS screen back Canon SX620 HS front Canon SX620 HS screen back

Sample images showcase SX620 HS's superior detail and dynamic range evident in landscape shots and sharper portraits, while SX120 IS’s images show warm color rendition.

Top view reveals SX120 IS’s dedicated exposure dials versus the SX620 HS's minimalistic controls, reflecting their targeting of different user experiences.

Overall Performance Ratings and Recommended Use

Final Recommendations and Who Should Pick Which

Choose the Canon SX120 IS if:

• You prefer more manual control over exposure and focusing.
• You want a camera that uses universally available AA batteries.
• You appreciate brighter apertures for creative depth-of-field.
• Your budget is tight and you can accept older technology trade-offs.
• Portability is less of a priority and you favor ergonomic heft.

Choose the Canon SX620 HS if:

• You want the latest sensor technology with better resolution and image quality.
• You value a longer zoom range and full HD video.
• Easy connectivity for social sharing matters.
• You prioritize a compact, lightweight design for street or travel photography.
• Face detection and better autofocus performance are essential.

Final Thoughts

These two Canon compacts represent snapshots of the small sensor superzoom evolution. The SX120 IS is a reliable option for those who seek a more hands-on experience and battery flexibility at a budget price. The SX620 HS takes advantage of advancements in sensor and processing tech to deliver overall better image quality, video, and shooting convenience.

From a photography enthusiast’s perspective, I recommend testing both models in your own shooting scenarios if possible. The SX620 HS suits generalists and travelers craving lightness and speed, while the SX120 IS may appeal to hobbyists who enjoy experimenting with manual settings and brighter aperture performance without relying on recharging.

No matter your choice, these cameras can be excellent companions on your photographic journey. Pair them with a sturdy SD card, learn your zoom range, and explore the creative possibilities that compact superzooms uniquely offer.

Happy shooting! Don’t hesitate to dive in, experiment, and capture the moments that inspire you. If you want to deepen your skills further, we recommend exploring accessories such as tripods for stability, external flashes for improved lighting, and remote shutter releases to reduce shake.

For more hands-on advice on superzoom compacts or mirrorless alternatives, keep following expert reviews and user experiences to guide your evolving photographic adventure.