Clicky

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon P310

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P310 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
53
Overall
44

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon P310 Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Announced August 2009
Nikon P310
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 194g - 103 x 58 x 32mm
  • Launched June 2012
  • Superseded the Nikon P300
  • Newer Model is Nikon P330
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon P310 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon P310, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the SX120 IS (10MP) and P310 (16MP) and the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and P310 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The SX120 IS was launched 3 years earlier than the P310 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SX120 IS grades versus the P310 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Nikon P310

 SX120 IS P310 

Reasons to pick Nikon P310 over the Canon SX120 IS

 P310 SX120 IS 
LaunchedJune 2012August 2009More modern by 34 months
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon P310

 SX120 IS P310 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon P310 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX120 IS enjoys external measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) and the Nikon P310 has specifications of 103mm x 58mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 194 grams (0.43 lbs).

See the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon P310 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SX120 IS and the P310.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon P310 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX120 IS and P310 is 87 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon P310 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon P310 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizes only by looking at a spec sheet. The image here may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SX120 IS and P310.

As you can see, both cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SX120 IS featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Nikon P310 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SX120 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon P310 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon P310 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon P310 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography factors
Nikon P310 Portrait photography factors
33
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/500s)
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
43
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Street photography highlights
Nikon P310 Street photography highlights
51
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than competitors (285 grams)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon P310 as a Sports photography camera
26
image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
MP count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
48
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX120 IS
Travel photography with Nikon P310
51
has built in flash
great reach (360mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (285 grams)
MP count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
71
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography details
Nikon P310 Landscape photography details
36
focusing manually
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
54
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging factors
Nikon P310 Vlogging factors
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than competitors (285g)
36
really wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone socket
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon P310 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Nikon P310
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISNikon Coolpix P310
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Nikon Coolpix P310
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-08-19 2012-06-22
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 99
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-360mm (10.0x) 24-100mm (4.2x)
Max aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 2cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120, 30fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 285g (0.63 pounds) 194g (0.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 103 x 58 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 230 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $249 $700