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Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
Portability
90
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30 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
  • Released August 2009
Nikon S30
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Nikon S30

 SX120 IS S30 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Canon SX120 IS

 S30 SX120 IS 
ReleasedFebruary 2012August 2009Fresher by 29 months

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon S30

 SX120 IS S30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography advice
Nikon S30 Portrait photography advice
33
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
no external flash support
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW files
24
has face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX120 IS
Street photography with Nikon S30
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW files
heavier than others (285 grams)
51
environment proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/3")
no RAW format
heavier than average in class (214g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Sports photography factors
Nikon S30 Sports photography factors
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
no phase detect AF
28
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
environment proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.5 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Travel photography info
Nikon S30 Travel photography info
51
flash built-in
very long zoom (360mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (285g)
low megapixels (10MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
52
environment proofing
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (214 grams)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography highlights
Nikon S30 Landscape photography highlights
36
you can focus manually
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
25
environment proofing
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging details
Nikon S30 Vlogging details
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic socket
heavier than others (285g)
23
has face detection focusing
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
heavier than average in class (214g)
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Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Nikon S30
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISNikon 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