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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony T90

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 front
Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
26
Overall
30

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony T90 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 T90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 148g - 94 x 57 x 15mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony T90 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Canon SX120 IS and Sony T90, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the T90 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and T90 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The SX120 IS was introduced 7 months after the T90 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX120 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony T90 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SX120 IS scores against the T90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Sony T90

 SX120 IS T90 
AnnouncedAugust 2009February 2009More modern by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony T90 over the Canon SX120 IS

 T90 SX120 IS 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Sony T90

 SX120 IS T90 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony T90 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX120 IS comes with exterior 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) and the Sony T90 has proportions of 94mm x 57mm x 15mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.6") having a weight of 148 grams (0.33 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX120 IS and Sony T90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SX120 IS against the T90.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony T90 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX120 IS and T90 is 87 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony T90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony T90 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes merely by seeing specifications. The picture below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX120 IS and T90.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SX120 IS having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony T90 will produce extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher SX120 IS is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony T90 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony T90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony T90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony T90 as a Portrait photography camera
33
manual focus
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
external flash not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX120 IS
Street photography with Sony T90
51
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
heavier than competition (285 grams)
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competitors in class (148 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Sports photography highlights
Sony T90 Sports photography highlights
26
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Travel photography details
Sony T90 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
very long zoom (360mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (285 grams)
MP count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
50
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (148 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography factors
Sony T90 Landscape photography factors
36
manual focus
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
36
you can focus manually
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony T90 as a Vlogging camera
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than competition (285g)
27
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (148g)
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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony T90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Sony T90
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-T90
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90
Type Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Introduced 2009-08-19 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
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) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 6.3 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 1s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 2.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 285g (0.63 lb) 148g (0.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 94 x 57 x 15mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.6")
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 (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $249 $259