Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S100
87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31


94 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39
Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S100 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
- 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
- Introduced August 2009
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
- 175g - 99 x 65 x 18mm
- Introduced August 2011

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S100 Overview
Its time to take a more detailed look at the Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S100, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX120 IS (10MP) and S100 (16MP) and the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and S100 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizing.

The SX120 IS was manufactured 24 months prior to the S100 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SX120 IS grades versus the S100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S100 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS and Nikon Coolpix S100. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon SX120 IS Gallery and Nikon S100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Nikon S100
SX120 IS | S100 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon S100 over the Canon SX120 IS
S100 | SX120 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2011 | ![]() | August 2009 | More recent by 24 months |
Display sizing | 3.5" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 820k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+590k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon S100
SX120 IS | S100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen |
Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S100 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to lug around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX120 IS has got outer dimensions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") having a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) and the Nikon S100 has measurements of 99mm x 65mm x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") along with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S100 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the SX120 IS and the S100.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and S100 is 87 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S100 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it's tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements merely by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX120 IS and S100.
As you can see, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SX120 IS because of its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Nikon S100 will provide you with more detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The older SX120 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Nikon Coolpix S100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Nikon Coolpix S100 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2009-08-19 | 2011-08-24 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.5" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 24.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | - |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 36-360mm (10.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.8-4.3 | f/3.9-4.8 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 6.3 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 3.5 inches |
Display resolution | 230k dot | 820k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | - | Organic LED monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2500 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 6.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/500 secs | - |
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, 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, Motion JPEG |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 285g (0.63 lbs) | 175g (0.39 lbs) |
Dimensions | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") | 99 x 65 x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 150 pictures |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $249 | $240 |