Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus SH-3

The following is a detailed analysis of the Canon SX120 IS and Olympus SH-3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Olympus. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the SX120 IS (10MP) and SH-3 (16MP) and the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and SH-3 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizes.

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The SX120 IS was released 7 years earlier than the SH-3 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SX120 IS grades against the SH-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS and Olympus Stylus SH-3. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX120 IS Gallery and Olympus SH-3 Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX120 IS comes with physical dimensions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) and the Olympus SH-3 has sizing of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX120 IS and Olympus SH-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the SX120 IS compared to the SH-3.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX120 IS and SH-3 is 87 and 88 respectively.

Usually, its hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The image below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX120 IS and SH-3.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SX120 IS because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Olympus SH-3 will produce extra detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SX120 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.