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Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S31

Portability
87
Imaging
32
Features
28
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S31 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
  • Launched August 2009
Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Launched June 2013
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Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S31 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon S31, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by rivals Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the S31 (10MP) is very comparable but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and S31 (1/2.9") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The SX120 IS was brought out 4 years prior to the S31 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple view of how the SX120 IS matches up against the S31 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Nikon S31

 SX120 IS S31 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Canon SX120 IS

 S31 SX120 IS 
LaunchedJune 2013August 2009More modern by 46 months

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon S31

 SX120 IS S31 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S31 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX120 IS has external dimensions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Nikon S31 has measurements of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon S31 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the SX120 IS compared to the S31.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S31 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX120 IS and S31 is 87 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S31 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S31 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes merely by seeing specifications. The pic here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX120 IS and S31.

Plainly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact MP but not the same sensor sizes. The SX120 IS offers the larger sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field less difficult. The more aged SX120 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S31 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S31 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S31 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX120 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon S31
32
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500s)
external flash not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.9")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Street photography information
Nikon S31 Street photography information
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competition (285 grams)
52
environment proof
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.9")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Sports photography highlights
Nikon S31 Sports photography highlights
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect AF
24
environment proof
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.9")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Travel photography features
Nikon S31 Travel photography features
51
has built in flash
great reach (360mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (285g)
low MP (10MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
59
environment proof
flash built-in
fast maximum aperture (f)
no Timelapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (29mm)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S31 as a Landscape photography camera
36
manual focus
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
30
fast maximum aperture (f)
environment proof
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.9")
lacks RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX120 IS
Vlogging with Nikon S31
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than competition (285 grams)
24
fast maximum aperture (f)
wide angle not great (29mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
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Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S31 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Nikon S31
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISNikon Coolpix S31
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Nikon Coolpix S31
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2009-08-19 2013-06-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.9"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 4.96 x 3.72mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 18.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 -
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-360mm (10.0x) 29-87mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.3 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 6.3 7.3
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG -
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 285 gr (0.63 lb) 185 gr (0.41 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7")
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 - 260 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD / SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $249 $90