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Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Revealed August 2009
Panasonic LX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-60mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 265g - 109 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched November 2008
  • Updated by Panasonic LX5
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Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Overview

Below is a detailed overview of the Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the LX3 (10MP) is relatively comparable but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and LX3 (1/1.63") have different sensor dimensions.

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The SX120 IS was announced 10 months later than the LX3 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SX120 IS grades against the LX3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Panasonic LX3

 SX120 IS LX3 
LaunchedAugust 2009November 2008More recent by 10 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Canon SX120 IS

 LX3 SX120 IS 
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Panasonic LX3

 SX120 IS LX3 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX120 IS features external dimensions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LX3 has sizing of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the SX120 IS versus the LX3.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX120 IS and LX3 is 87 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements merely by seeing specs. The visual below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX120 IS and LX3.

All in all, each of these cameras feature the identical megapixel count albeit different sensor measurements. The SX120 IS contains the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier. The younger SX120 IS provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX120 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic LX3
33
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
cannot use external flash
low MP (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
40
you can focus manually
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LX3 as a Street photography camera
51
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than others in class (285 grams)
60
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
more heavy than average (265g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Sports photography info
Panasonic LX3 Sports photography info
26
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect auto focus
27
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Travel photography advice
Panasonic LX3 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
long reach (360mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (285 grams)
low MP (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
60
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than average (265 grams)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic LX3 as a Landscape photography camera
36
has manual focus
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
52
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.63")
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging advice
Panasonic LX3 Vlogging advice
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (285g)
30
fairly wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
more heavy than average (265 grams)
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Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Panasonic LX3
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-08-19 2008-11-04
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/1.63"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-360mm (10.0x) 24-60mm (2.5x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/2.0-2.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 6.3 4.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 8.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/500 secs -
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 (HD 24 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (10fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 285 gr (0.63 lb) 265 gr (0.58 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 39
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 19.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 94
Other
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $249 $449