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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950 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
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Released February 2009
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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Canon SX120 IS and Sony S950, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the S950 (10MP) is pretty well matched but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and S950 (1/2.3") come with different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The SX120 IS was released 7 months after the S950 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the SX120 IS scores versus the S950 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Sony S950

 SX120 IS S950 
ReleasedAugust 2009February 2009Newer by 7 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Canon SX120 IS

 S950 SX120 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Sony S950

 SX120 IS S950 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX120 IS provides physical measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) while the Sony S950 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX120 IS and Sony S950 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the SX120 IS versus the S950.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX120 IS and S950 is 87 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by checking a spec sheet. The image below will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX120 IS and S950.

Clearly, both the cameras offer the same exact megapixel count albeit different sensor dimensions. The SX120 IS uses the tinier sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field trickier. The fresher SX120 IS provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX120 IS
Portrait photography with Sony S950
33
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/500s)
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
26
has manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX120 IS
Street photography with Sony S950
51
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
more heavy than average (285g)
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony S950 as a Sports photography camera
26
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
24
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX120 IS
Travel photography with Sony S950
51
flash built-in
great reach (360mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than average (285 grams)
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
50
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography highlights
Sony S950 Landscape photography highlights
36
focusing manually
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
31
has manual focus
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging info
Sony S950 Vlogging info
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than average (285 grams)
9
can't shoot video
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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Sony S950
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-08-19 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
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 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing 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 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-360mm (10.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 None
Video file 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 285 gr (0.63 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $249 $130