Canon SX120 IS vs Casio EX-H15: A Deep-Dive into Budget-Friendly Small Sensor Compacts

Picking a compact camera these days feels like a treasure hunt, especially when you’re juggling options that launched more than a decade ago but still offer surprising capabilities for casual shooters and enthusiasts on a budget. The Canon PowerShot SX120 IS and the Casio Exilim EX-H15 are two such contenders - both small sensor compacts released in the transitional era before smartphone cameras became wildfire in photography. Having put both through hands-on testing and pored over every spec sheet detail, I’m here to help you sift through features, image quality, usability, and real-world performance to see which one deserves a spot in your camera bag.

Let’s jump in with a taste of what sets these two apart - and where they align - in a direct, no-BS examination rooted in practical photography experience.

Getting Comfortable: Size, Build, and Handling

Before you even snap a photo, you deal with how the camera fits in your hands and bags. Impressions here can make or break the shooting experience long before image quality does.

Canon SX120 IS:

This chunky compact weighs in at 285 grams and measures 111 × 71 × 45 mm. That heft translates into a solid grip and reassuring quality - it doesn’t feel chintzy even though it’s mostly plastic. Clubs for thumbs? Well, the Canon shoots straight and steadies well but lacks any serious rubberized grips or ergonomic flourishes. Still, the lens ring feels smooth and zoom controls are easy to reach.

Casio EX-H15:

More petite and lighter at 161 grams and 101 × 60 × 28 mm, the Casio feels nimble and fidget-friendly for one-handed shooting or quick snaps. Its svelte profile is perfect if you care about pocketability - but the trade-off is in grip security and general robustness. The slim chassis demands more care to avoid slips, especially when using longer focal lengths.

Verdict: If you prioritize comfort and steadiness for longer shoots, the Canon edges ahead. But if you want an ultra-portable point-and-shoot to stash in your coat or purse, Casio’s smaller footprint wins.

Top Deck Controls: How These Cameras Handle in Action

Part of the joy of shooting is intuitive control layouts so you don’t have to fumble through menus mid-shot. Both models are straightforward, but subtle differences matter a lot in practice.

Canon SX120 IS offers dedicated dial controls - aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual exposure modes - rare in compact cameras of this vintage. This makes it more capable for enthusiasts who want to tinker with depth of field or motion effects. It also offers exposure compensation, built-in flash with multiple modes (red-eye reduction, slow sync), and a custom white balance option.

Casio EX-H15, while featuring sensor-shift stabilization (a plus over Canon’s optical image stabilization), lacks shutter priority or manual modes; it’s largely an automatic camera with some scene presets for beginners. On the plus side, it includes wireless Eye-Fi card connectivity, a neat bonus for transferring shoots without cables (if you’re into tech hacks).

Bottom line here: Canon feels like the more serious tool for creative control, while Casio is more “point and shoot – with quick wireless joys.”

The Heart of the Machine: Sensor and Image Quality Metrics

Now, let’s talk about the guts - the sensor technology and how it translates into image quality in the real world. In controlled studio tests and varied lighting scenarios, these facts emerged.

Canon SX120 IS:

• Sensor: 1/2.5” CCD sensor, measuring 5.744 × 4.308 mm
• Resolution: 10 megapixels
• Max ISO: 1600 native
• Sensor area: 24.74mm²
• Has an anti-aliasing filter

Casio EX-H15:

• Sensor: Larger 1/2.3” CCD sensor, 6.17 × 4.55 mm
• Resolution: 14 megapixels
• Max ISO: 3200 native
• Sensor area: 28.07mm²
• Also has anti-aliasing filter

A larger sensor area and higher megapixel count typically translate to better detail and less noise, especially in low-light environments. This dynamic is evident in sample shots where Casio’s sensor pulls ahead with finer detail and cleaner files at ISO 400 and above. However, at base ISO settings, both produce sharp images with pleasant color reproduction, though Canon’s warmer color bias will appeal to portrait shooters looking for flattering skin tones.

The CCD sensor choice in both means excellent color accuracy, but slower readouts create limitations in burst shooting and video frame rates (more below). The anti-aliasing filters, while good for reducing moiré, slightly soften the images compared to modern DSLR sensors.

Live View & Rear Screen Comparison

Hunting through menus or composing your shot on-screen has never been so crucial, especially when there’s no electronic viewfinder.

The Canon offers a 3-inch fixed LCD with a modest 230K dots resolution, which feels grainy and dim compared to modern standards, making precise focus or highlight/shadow evaluation tricky outdoors.

The Casio EX-H15 impresses with a 3-inch screen at 461K dots - double Canon’s definition - resulting in brighter, sharper previews ideal for framing and reviewing. Its aspect ratio flexibility to 16:9 is a small perk for composing widescreen media, especially video.

Both lack touchscreens and electronic viewfinders, meaning relying on the LCD outdoors under bright light can challenge composition, particularly in the Sol Invictus.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

In the real world, even budget compacts need to nail focus speed and reliability. Both cameras rely exclusively on contrast-detection autofocus - slow but effective in good lighting.

• Canon locks focus adequately but single AF and no continuous tracking severely limit dynamic subjects or street candid shots.
• Casio’s AF feels zippier but not dramatically so. It offers no face or eye detection assistance, a feature mostly absent from cameras in this era.

Continuous shooting rates are painfully slow on both, with Canon at 1 fps and Casio unspecified, so forget burst mode sports photography or wildlife hunting from a tripod. Shutter speed range also favors Canon slightly, maxing out at 1/2500s - better for freezing quick action than Casio’s 1/2000s.

Zoom, Lens Capability, and Macro Performance

Since these are fixed-lens compacts, the zoom and aperture range are crucial for versatility.

Canon PowerShot SX120 IS:

• Zoom: 10× optical zoom, 36-360mm equivalent focal length
• Aperture: F2.8 (wide) to F4.3 (telephoto)
• Macro: Can focus as close as 1 cm (great for close-ups)

Casio EX-H15:

• Zoom: 10× optical zoom, 24-240mm focal length (wider at 24mm)
• Aperture: F3.2 (wide) to F5.7 (telephoto)
• Macro: Not specified, not particularly strong

In practical use, Canon’s faster aperture gives it an edge when shooting handheld in low light and producing shallower depth of field. Casio’s wider-angle at 24mm is handy for landscapes and interiors but loses reach significantly at 240mm.

If you fancy creeping up on subjects or capturing tiny details, Canon’s macro capability is superior.

Flash and Low-Light Story

Built-in flash range on Canon is respectable at about 3m with multiple modes, including slow sync, which aids in nighttime portraits with ambient light balance.

Casio also sports a built-in flash but range details are vague and no slow sync options are noted. Low-light autofocus is challenging on both, but Canon’s faster lens aperture slightly enhances performance.

Video Capabilities: Modest but Functional

Ah, video - how far these cameras have come today! Let’s temper expectations: neither is a video powerhouse.

• Canon SX120 IS: Maximum video resolution is 640x480 at 30 fps (VGA quality) in Motion JPEG format. No HD or 4K capabilities.
• Casio EX-H15: Better here, offering 1280x720 HD (720p) at 30 fps - a meaningful upgrade. Also Motion JPEG.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone jacks, nor supports external audio recording, limiting sound quality. No image stabilization during video, so handheld footage will require smooth hands or a tripod. For casual home videos or social media clips circa early 2010, Casio wins video outright.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Another factor where convenience and economics can make or break the deal.

• Canon runs on 2 x AA batteries, a universal option great for travel and quick replacement but notoriously inefficient for long shoots.
• Casio uses the proprietary NP-90 lithium-ion battery, offering longer runtimes but requiring charging and carrying spares.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC cards, with Casio providing internal storage as a backup - a nice plus if you forget your memory card at home.

Connectivity and Extras

Canon SX120 IS is a minimalist in this area - no wireless or GPS, just USB 2.0 for image transfers.

Casio EX-H15 edges out here with Eye-Fi card compatibility (wireless SD cards), allowing limited wireless transfer workflows, a handy modern touch for a camera released in 2010.

Neither offers Bluetooth, NFC, or HDMI outputs, so consider your workflow needs.

Environmental Protection and Durability

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedized body elements. Treat both with care and avoid moisture or dusty conditions.

Real-World Use Case Evaluation

Let me step through distinct photography genres to highlight how these compacts hold up for different shooter profiles.

Canon SX120 IS screen back Casio EX H15 front Casio EX H15 screen back

Portrait Photography

Skin tones come out warmer and more natural on Canon, thanks to its slightly better color science. Faster F2.8 aperture achieves smoother bokeh on telephoto shots, improving subject isolation. Lack of face or eye detection AF hurts, making precise focus a challenge with moving models.

Casio delivers higher resolution for prints but flatter color rendering and slower lenses reduce artistic control.

Landscape Photography

Casio wins with its wider 24mm focal length for sweeping vistas. Its higher resolution files capture more detail in expansive scenes, although dynamic range is limited due to sensor size and age.

Canon’s narrower zoom range and lower resolution file slightly hamper cropping. Neither camera offers weather sealing - take a raincoat.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

No contest: both cameras falter here due to slow autofocus, poor continuous shooting capabilities, and limited reach (Canon’s 360mm is okay for urban wildlife, Casio only 240mm). Avoid if you want to capture action.

Street Photography

Casio’s smaller size aids discretely capturing street moments, but slow AF is an inhibitor. Canon feels bulky and slow but offers manual exposure for creative control.

Macro Photography

Canon’s ability to focus as close as 1cm crushes Casio’s limitations for close-ups of insects, flowers, and details.

Night and Astrophotography

Neither shines here - max ISO of 1600 (Canon) or 3200 (Casio) produces noisy files. Longest shutter of 15 seconds (Canon) vs 4 seconds (Casio) makes Canon more flexible for nightscapes but neither has astro exposure modes.

Video Work

Casio’s HD video and wireless transfer make it a casual vlogger’s pocket knife, whereas Canon’s VGA video lags far behind by modern standards.

Travel Photography

Casio’s size, weight, and wireless features make it a no-brainer for carry-on vacations, while Canon’s zoom and manual controls benefit travelers focused on versatility and artistic experimentation.

Professional Work

Both cameras fall short for professional uses: low-quality video, absence of RAW, and limited manual controls restrict workflow integration.

Comparing Key Specs Summary

The Bottom Line: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose Canon SX120 IS if you:

• Want creative control via manual, aperture/shutter priority modes
• Shoot portraits needing flattering skin tone and shallow DOF
• Appreciate close-up macro work with 1cm focusing
• Don’t mind larger size and bulk for better grip
• Rely on optical image stabilization for steadier handheld shots
• Shoot slow-motion or video casually and don't need HD

Choose Casio EX-H15 if you:

• Prioritize lightweight, pocket-friendly form factor
• Want higher resolution for landscapes or detailed prints
• Need wider angle zoom plus sensor-shift stabilization
• Value decent HD video recording for casual clips
• Appreciate wireless image transfer options (Eye-Fi support)
• Need longer battery life with rechargeable lithium packs

Final Considerations and Recommendations

As a guy who has cradled thousands of cameras (no kidding), these two come across as products of their time: solid alternatives for entry-level photographers craving more than a phone can deliver but without the cost or complexity of advanced mirrorless systems.

If your shooting is casual, travel-heavy, or you love the social aspect of wireless transfer and HD video, the Casio EX-H15 is the winner. Its portability and modern conveniences still hold value despite its age.

If you demand control, creative flexibility, and close-up prowess combined with optical stabilization (even if it means heftier gear), the Canon SX120 IS fits better - especially at the often-lower street price nowadays.

Neither camera will satisfy wildlife shooters or professional video creators in today’s terms, but for nostalgic enthusiasts, budget clubs for thumbs, or photographers dabbling outside smartphones, these two deliver surprising bang for your buck in small sensor compacts.

I hope this hands-on, real-world comparison helps you weigh your needs against features and quirks honestly. If you want me to dig into more cameras or specifics, just shout!

Happy shooting!

• Your friendly neighborhood camera gear nerd