Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S8100
87 Imaging
32 Features
28 Overall
30
93 Imaging
34 Features
36 Overall
34
Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S8100 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
- Announced August 2009
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
- Revealed September 2010
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Let's look closer at the Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S8100, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the S8100 (12MP) is pretty close but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and S8100 (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe SX120 IS was announced 12 months prior to the S8100 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SX120 IS matches up versus the S8100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS and Nikon Coolpix S8100. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SX120 IS Gallery and Nikon S8100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Nikon S8100
| SX120 IS | S8100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Dial precise focus |
Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Canon SX120 IS
| S8100 | SX120 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | September 2010 | August 2009 | Newer by 12 months | |
| Screen resolution | 921k | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Nikon S8100
| SX120 IS | S8100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen size | |
| Selfie screen | Neither comes with selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | No Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S8100 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to travel with your camera, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX120 IS comes with external measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") and a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) and the Nikon S8100 has dimensions of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).
Check the Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S8100 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the SX120 IS vs the S8100.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and S8100 is 87 and 93 respectively.
Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S8100 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by viewing a spec sheet. The image here may give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX120 IS and S8100.
As you can see, both of those cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SX120 IS with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Nikon S8100 will render extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged SX120 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.
Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S8100 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX120 IS vs Nikon S8100 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Nikon Coolpix S8100 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Canon | Nikon |
| Model | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Nikon Coolpix S8100 |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Announced | 2009-08-19 | 2010-09-08 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Digic 4 | Expeed C2 |
| Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.5" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 24.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10MP | 12MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 160 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 36-360mm (10.0x) | 30-300mm (10.0x) |
| Max aperture | f/2.8-4.3 | f/3.5-5.6 |
| Macro focus distance | 1cm | 1cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 6.3 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 30s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/2500s | 1/8000s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| 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 | - |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Highest 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | H.264 |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 pounds) | 180 gr (0.40 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") | 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") |
| 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 | - | 220 pictures |
| Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | 2 x AA | EN-EL12 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Cost at launch | $249 | $299 |