Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S2100
87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31


93 Imaging
35 Features
17 Overall
27
Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S2100 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
- Announced August 2009
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- 640 x 480 video
- 33-105mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 167g - 98 x 61 x 27mm
- Announced January 2010

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S2100 Overview
On this page, we are reviewing the Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S2100, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the S2100 (12MP) is fairly close but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and S2100 (1/2.3") posses different sensor measurements.

The SX120 IS was launched 4 months earlier than the S2100 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SX120 IS scores vs the S2100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S2100 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SX120 IS Gallery & Sony S2100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Sony S2100
SX120 IS | S2100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing |
Reasons to pick Sony S2100 over the Canon SX120 IS
S2100 | SX120 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Sony S2100
SX120 IS | S2100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2009 | ![]() | January 2010 | Same age |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurements |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly display |
Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S2100 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to lug around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX120 IS provides outer dimensions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") along with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Sony S2100 has proportions of 98mm x 61mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
See the Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S2100 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the SX120 IS vs the S2100.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SX120 IS and S2100 is 87 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S2100 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's hard to imagine the gap in sensor measurements purely by researching specs. The graphic below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX120 IS and S2100.
All in all, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SX120 IS because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony S2100 will result in extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos more aggressively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S2100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S2100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2009-08-19 | 2010-01-07 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | Bionz |
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 | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 36-360mm (10.0x) | 33-105mm (3.2x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-4.3 | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 6.3 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 1s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2500s | 1/1200s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 3.30 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/500s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 285g (0.63 lbs) | 167g (0.37 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") | 98 x 61 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
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 | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, optional SD, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $249 | $0 |