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Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax X70

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Pentax X70 front
Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax X70 Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(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
  • Launched August 2009
Pentax X70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
  • Launched March 2009
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Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax X70 Overview

The following is a comprehensive assessment of the Canon SX120 IS and Pentax X70, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the X70 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and X70 (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The SX120 IS was announced 6 months after the X70 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX120 IS being a Compact camera and the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SX120 IS scores against the X70 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Pentax X70

 SX120 IS X70 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Canon SX120 IS

 X70 SX120 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Pentax X70

 SX120 IS X70 
LaunchedAugust 2009March 2009Same generation
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax X70 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX120 IS features exterior measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") along with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) while the Pentax X70 has specifications of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") along with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX120 IS and Pentax X70 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the SX120 IS compared to the X70.

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax X70 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and X70 is 87 and 71 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax X70 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax X70 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to picture the gap in sensor dimensions merely by checking out technical specs. The picture below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX120 IS and X70.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SX120 IS using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax X70 will show more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax X70 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax X70 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax X70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography factors
Pentax X70 Portrait photography factors
33
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
can't use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
28
manual focus
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Street photography highlights
Pentax X70 Street photography highlights
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
heavier than others (285 grams)
46
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax X70 as a Sports photography camera
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect auto focus
50
great zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
has phase detect autofocus
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Travel photography features
Pentax X70 Travel photography features
51
has built in flash
long reach (360mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (285g)
MP count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
52
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
long reach (624mm)
no Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography details
Pentax X70 Landscape photography details
36
focusing manually
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
35
manual focus
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging features
Pentax X70 Vlogging features
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic jack
heavier than others (285 grams)
24
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone support
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Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax X70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Pentax X70
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISPentax X70
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Pentax X70
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-08-19 2009-03-02
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 50
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-360mm (10.0x) 26-624mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 9.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 285 grams (0.63 lbs) 410 grams (0.90 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID 2 x AA D-LI92
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/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $249 $200