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Canon SX120 IS vs Samsung CL5

Portability
87
Imaging
32
Features
28
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Samsung CL5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
31
Features
14
Overall
24

Canon SX120 IS vs Samsung CL5 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
  • Released August 2009
Samsung CL5
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-4.5) lens
  • 141g - 93 x 60 x 19mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Other Name is PL10
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Canon SX120 IS vs Samsung CL5 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Canon SX120 IS and Samsung CL5, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Canon and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the CL5 (9MP) is pretty comparable and they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.5").

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The SX120 IS was released 6 months later than the CL5 and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX120 IS being a Compact camera and the Samsung CL5 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SX120 IS grades vs the CL5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Samsung CL5

 SX120 IS CL5 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Samsung CL5 over the Canon SX120 IS

 CL5 SX120 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Samsung CL5

 SX120 IS CL5 
ReleasedAugust 2009February 2009Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Canon SX120 IS vs Samsung CL5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX120 IS provides external measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") and a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Samsung CL5 has sizing of 93mm x 60mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") having a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX120 IS and Samsung CL5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SX120 IS versus the CL5.

Canon SX120 IS vs Samsung CL5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX120 IS and CL5 is 87 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Samsung CL5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Samsung CL5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to visualize the difference in sensor measurements purely by checking out specs. The photograph here may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX120 IS and CL5.

All in all, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Canon SX120 IS to produce greater detail as a result of its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a little more aggressively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Samsung CL5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Samsung CL5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Samsung CL5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung CL5 as a Portrait photography camera
32
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/500s)
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
24
has face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
MP count low (9 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Street photography details
Samsung CL5 Street photography details
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
heavier than others in class (285g)
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Sports photography factors
Samsung CL5 Sports photography factors
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect AF
15
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (9 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX120 IS
Travel photography with Samsung CL5
51
built-in flash
great reach (360mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (285g)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
50
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
MP count low (9 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography details
Samsung CL5 Landscape photography details
36
focusing manually
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse function
21
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
MP count low (9 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging highlights
Samsung CL5 Vlogging highlights
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
no external mic socket
heavier than others in class (285g)
24
has face detection autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
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Canon SX120 IS vs Samsung CL5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Samsung CL5
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISSamsung CL5
General Information
Company Canon Samsung
Model type Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Samsung CL5
Also Known as - PL10
Category Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Released 2009-08-19 2009-02-23
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 9 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-360mm (10.0x) 38-114mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/3.5-4.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 6.3 6.3
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 16 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 285 gr (0.63 lbs) 141 gr (0.31 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 93 x 60 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $249 $391