Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic S1
87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31


96 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29
Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic S1 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
- Introduced August 2009
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Released January 2011

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic S1 Overview
On this page, we are matching up the Canon SX120 IS and Panasonic S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the S1 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and S1 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

The SX120 IS was brought out 16 months before the S1 making them a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SX120 IS scores vs the S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic S1 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon SX120 IS Gallery & Panasonic S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Panasonic S1
SX120 IS | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Canon SX120 IS
S1 | SX120 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2011 | ![]() | August 2009 | More modern by 16 months |
Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Panasonic S1
SX120 IS | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly display |
Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX120 IS features exterior measurements 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 S1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX120 IS and Panasonic S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the SX120 IS and the S1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX120 IS and S1 is 87 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes merely by checking out specs. The image underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX120 IS and S1.
All in all, both cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SX120 IS because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic S1 will show more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged SX120 IS will be behind in sensor tech.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic S1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2009-08-19 | 2011-01-05 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | Venus Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.5" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 24.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 36-360mm (10.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.8-4.3 | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 6.3 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 8 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2500 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 3.30 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/500 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 285g (0.63 pounds) | 117g (0.26 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
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 | - | 240 photos |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $249 | $269 |