Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3
87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31


91 Imaging
34 Features
40 Overall
36
Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. The whole galleries are available at Canon SX120 IS Gallery & Panasonic LX3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Panasonic LX3
SX120 IS | LX3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2009 | ![]() | November 2008 | More recent by 10 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Canon SX120 IS
LX3 | SX120 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Panasonic LX3
SX120 IS | LX3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Panasonic 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 |