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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony G3

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
30
Overall
31

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony G3 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
  • Introduced August 2009
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony G3 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Canon SX120 IS versus Sony G3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the G3 (10MP) is pretty well matched but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and G3 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The SX120 IS was launched 8 months later than the G3 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the SX120 IS matches up versus the G3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Sony G3

 SX120 IS G3 
ReleasedAugust 2009January 2009Fresher by 8 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Canon SX120 IS

 G3 SX120 IS 
Screen size3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Sony G3

 SX120 IS G3 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. 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 Sony G3 has sizing of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX120 IS versus Sony G3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SX120 IS compared to the G3.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony G3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and G3 is 87 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The visual here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX120 IS and G3.

As you have seen, each of the cameras feature the identical MP albeit different sensor sizing. The SX120 IS contains the tinier sensor which will make getting shallower DOF tougher. The younger SX120 IS should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography information
Sony G3 Portrait photography information
33
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/500s)
cannot use external flash
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
25
you can focus manually
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Street photography factors
Sony G3 Street photography factors
51
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (285 grams)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Sports photography features
Sony G3 Sports photography features
26
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect autofocus
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX120 IS
Travel photography with Sony G3
51
has built in flash
great reach (360mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (285g)
low MP (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
50
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low MP (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography features
Sony G3 Landscape photography features
36
focusing manually
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
35
you can focus manually
big screen (3.5")
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony G3 as a Vlogging camera
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (285 grams)
27
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Sony G3
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-08-19 2009-01-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-360mm (10.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3.5 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 1s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2500s 1/1000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/500s -
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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 285 grams (0.63 lbs) 185 grams (0.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $249 $200