Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30
87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31


90 Imaging
32 Features
18 Overall
26
Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30 Key Specs
(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
- Released August 2009
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
- Released February 2012

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30 Overview
Here is a in depth assessment of the Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the S30 (10MP) is very comparable but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and S30 (1/3") have totally different sensor sizing.

The SX120 IS was introduced 3 years earlier than the S30 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving into a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the SX120 IS scores vs the S30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS and Nikon Coolpix S30. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SX120 IS Gallery and Nikon S30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Nikon S30
SX120 IS | S30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Canon SX120 IS
S30 | SX120 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2012 | ![]() | August 2009 | Fresher by 29 months |
Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon S30
SX120 IS | S30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX120 IS features outside dimensions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") having a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Nikon S30 has dimensions of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the SX120 IS vs the S30.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX120 IS and S30 is 87 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing just by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic below should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX120 IS and S30.
As you can see, each of the cameras come with the identical megapixels but not the same sensor sizing. The SX120 IS features the larger sensor which is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler. The older SX120 IS will be behind in sensor technology.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Nikon Coolpix S30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Nikon Coolpix S30 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2009-08-19 | 2012-02-01 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.5" | 1/3" |
Sensor dimensions | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 4.8 x 3.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 24.7mm² | 17.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 36-360mm (10.0x) | 29-87mm (3.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.8-4.3 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 6.3 | 7.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT-LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2500s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 1.5 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set 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 |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/500s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) | 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 285 grams (0.63 lbs) | 214 grams (0.47 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") | 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") |
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 | - | 240 photographs |
Style of battery | - | AA |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $249 | $119 |