Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950
87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31
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94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26
Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950 Key Specs
(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
(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.
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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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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SX120 IS Gallery & Sony S950 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Sony S950
SX120 IS | S950 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2009 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 7 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact 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.
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.
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Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX120 IS and S950 is 87 and 94 respectively.
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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.
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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S950 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Sony 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 |