Compact Camera Showdown: Canon PowerShot SX120 IS vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W620

Choosing a compact camera in the era of smartphones with ever-improving cameras is a curious endeavor - but not a futile one. For photography enthusiasts who crave some extra zoom reach, manual control, or just a more tactile shooting experience, models like the Canon PowerShot SX120 IS and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W620 still deserve a look. Though both are entry-level compacts aimed at casual shooters and beginners, these two cameras offer distinctly different takes on what a small sensor compact should do.

Having put both through their respective paces in everyday shooting scenarios and scrutinized their specs through the lens of nearly two decades of camera testing experience, I’ve gathered enough insights to guide you through their real-world capabilities, quirks, and when each one might serve you best.

Let’s unpack these two modestly priced compacts with honest eyes and no marketing fluff - because your money deserves more than just buzzwords.

The First Impression: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Before digging into specs, let’s talk about the thing you hold - ergonomics. Picture this: a bulky gadget or a pocketable companion? Comfort and handling can make or break your shooting mood, especially on day-long outings.

The Canon PowerShot SX120 IS measures 111 x 71 x 45 mm and weighs in at 285 grams (without batteries). In comparison, the Sony DSC-W620 is way more petite, at 98 x 56 x 20 mm and a light 116 grams with battery.

That's a big difference - Sony clearly banks on ultra-portability, whereas Canon’s chunkier SX120 IS feels more like a serious little buddy you’re encouraged to hold firmly. The Canon's slightly larger grip and button layout provide better handling, especially for those who find tiny TV-remote-sized cameras fiddly. For me, the SX120 IS instills a bit more confidence when aiming, thanks to its size and rounded contours.

Moving to the top plate, Canon’s design is straightforward with clearly labeled buttons and dedicated manual controls - more on that in a minute.

Sony’s W620 is minimalist: fewer physical buttons, more reliance on menus. It’s approachable but doesn’t invite tinkering. If you’re an enthusiast who enjoys adjusting settings on the fly, Canon is the clear winner here.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Size matters in sensors - larger sensors generally mean better image quality, improved low-light performance, and more dynamic range. Let’s have a look:

• Canon SX120 IS uses a 1/2.5-inch CCD sensor measuring 5.744 x 4.308 mm, for a total sensor area of ~24.74 mm², with a resolution of 10 megapixels.
• Sony W620 has a slightly larger 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, 6.17 x 4.55 mm area, about 28.07 mm², and ups the resolution to 14 megapixels.

On paper, Sony’s sensor is bigger and higher resolution, theoretically translating to more detail. But resolution isn’t everything - sensor efficiency, processing algorithms, and lens quality play huge roles.

In real-world testing, the Sony generates images with more fine detail, visible in landscapes and textured surfaces. Canon’s images are a tad softer, but generally pleasing and natural in color rendition. The SX120’s sensor, paired with Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor, produces more faithful skin tones, a subtle but crucial advantage in portraits.

In low light, neither camera dazzles (small sensors + CCD tech, from an era before modern backside illumination), but Canon manages mildly better noise control at their top ISO 1600. Sony’s maximum ISO extends to 3200, but it’s best to keep below 800 to avoid ugly grain.

Shooting Modes and Controls: Manual Freedom vs Point-and-Shoot Simplicity

A critical difference is Canon’s inclusion of manual exposure modes - aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual - which you seldom find on compact cameras of this vintage or price range. If you’ve ever wanted to practice exposure control and creative depth of field effects, this is a playground.

The Sony W620 keeps things simple with only automatic modes and basic scene selections - no manual exposure or aperture/shutter priority. White balance bracketing is on Sony’s side, which is interesting but mainly benefits bracket shooters.

Canon’s manual focus is a nod to enthusiasts who want precision focusing control, whereas Sony’s autofocus is contrast-based and occasional hunting is noticeable.

In terms of autofocus, Sony offers face detection and AF tracking, rare for budget compacts. Canon has a simpler contrast detection AF without face detection. From experience, Sony’s AF tracking works well for casual portraits and moving subjects within reason, while Canon’s system requires a steadier subject.

Lens and Zoom: Reach vs Versatility

Zoom is where these cameras tell different stories:

• The Canon SX120 IS sports a 10x zoom lens covering 36-360 mm equivalent focal length, with a bright max aperture from f/2.8 at wide to f/4.3 at tele.
• The Sony W620 offers 5x zoom, more modest at 28-140 mm equivalent, aperture range f/3.2–6.5.

Canon’s longer reach at 360 mm equivalent makes it great for wildlife or sports photography where you can’t get closer. That bright aperture wide end also helps in moderate low light.

Sony’s wider angle 28 mm gives more room for landscape and group shots, but 140 mm tele isn’t nearly as versatile for distant subjects.

During testing, Canon’s lens produces crisp images at mid-zoom levels but gets softer and shows more chromatic aberrations at full telephoto. Sony’s lens is notably slower in aperture, which limits performance indoors or dim environments, but optical quality is surprisingly sharp within its narrower zoom range.

Viewfinder and LCD: Your Window to the Scene

Both cameras lack optical or electronic viewfinders, meaning composing shots relies fully on the rear LCD.

Canon has a 3-inch LCD with 230k dots, fixed type but reasonably bright.

Sony’s smaller 2.7-inch screen matches Canon’s 230k-dot resolution but benefits from “Clear Photo” TFT technology, which is brighter and has better contrast in daylight.

In practice, Sony’s screen glows with better clarity in bright scenes, but the smaller size does hamper precision framing. Canon’s LCD is decent but feels a little cramped for serious shot review.

Neither supports touch or tilting, which today feels very limiting, but both maintain basic ease of use for checking composition and playback.

Autofocus and Speed: Keeping Up With Subject Movement

Both cameras offer only single-shot autofocus - no continuous autofocus or high-speed tracking. Burst shooting tops out at a modest 1 fps, effectively ruling these out for serious sports or wildlife photography.

Sony claims to have AF tracking capabilities, but this only works well with moderate moving subjects and wide apertures.

Canon’s AF is slower and less accurate in low contrast or low light, so expect hunting occasionally. Neither camera offers phase-detect autofocus or multiple focus points; it’s more “point-and-shoot” focus with some center-weighting.

Macro Photography: Close-Up Potential

For those fascinated by tiny details, macro capability is often overlooked in compact cameras.

Canon’s macro mode can focus down to 1 cm, which is impressive and allows you to squeeze in tight flower or insect shots.

Sony’s macro distance is longer at 5 cm, which limits how close you can get. Coupled with its slower aperture, it’s less ideal for those tiny close-ups.

In practice, the SX120 IS’s macro shots are sharper and more vivid, benefiting from its slightly better lens and manual focus control.

Video Capabilities: Basic Motion Capture

Both cameras were released before HD video became a standard, so video specs remain modest:

• Canon SX120 IS shoots 640 x 480 (VGA) at 30 fps.
• Sony W620 steps it up slightly to 1280 x 720 (HD) at 30 fps.

Neither supports external microphone input or image stabilization for video, so footage is limited to casual use. Video quality is typical of compact cameras from that era - adequate for home movies but not for anything professional or detailed.

Battery Life and Storage: Long Days in the Field?

Battery life is another practical consideration:

• Canon uses two AA batteries (user-replaceable, convenient on trips if you bring spares).
• Sony W620 relies on a proprietary Lithium-ion battery pack (NP-BN) with a claimed 220 shots per charge.

AA batteries offer flexibility but add weight - the Canon’s 285 grams includes nothing but battery and body, while Sony’s lighter form factor benefits from more modern battery tech.

Both cameras have single slots supporting popular memory formats - Sony goes farther with broader compatibility (SD, SDHC, microSD, and Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats), making it more adaptable for varied users.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Conveniences Check

Both lack Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS, though Sony supports Eye-Fi wireless cards for remote image transfer - a niche solution but notable for its time.

Neither camera features HDMI output or advanced connectivity tools you find in newer compacts or mirrorless cameras.

Canon includes a built-in flash with a modest 3-meter range and multiple flash modes, while Sony’s flash is similar but lacks red-eye reduction modes.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, or shock protection. These are casual-use compact cameras best kept out of harsh environments.

Price and Market Positioning

• Canon SX120 IS typically floats around $250 USD new in its time.
• Sony W620 prices closer to $100 USD.

There’s a marked price difference reflecting their feature sets and release dates.

Putting It All Together: Which One Should You Choose?

Now for the million-dollar question: Which camera deserves your hard-earned cash?

To visualize their respective strengths and weaknesses, here’s a quick synthesis of my hands-on observations:

Who Is the Canon PowerShot SX120 IS For?

If you appreciate manual control - especially shutter and aperture priority - want a longer zoom lens for versatility, and plan on shooting people and moderate wildlife with some creative freedom, the SX120 IS is the better match.

Its macro prowess and more robust build feel like you’re handling a camera designed to teach photography fundamentals while still offering some zoom action for distance.

The trade-offs are size and weight, and no HD video. But for the price, Canon’s offering feels like a step above typical point-and-shoot cameras of the era.

Who Should Lean Toward the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W620?

If your priority is pocketability, casual snapshots, and a bit of zoom with improved HD video capability, the Sony W620 checks those boxes.

Its face detection AF and smoother autofocus operation make it friendly for beginners who want images that “just work” without fuss. Plus, its wide-angle capability suits street and travel photographers who want something light, unobtrusive, and versatile enough for landscapes and group photos.

However, the lack of manual controls and limited zoom range make it less appealing for those seeking creative control or close-in long reach.

Performance Scores at a Glance

Let’s glance at an overall performance evaluation based on the above findings.

And for niche photography needs - landscape, portrait, wildlife, and more - here’s where each camera's strengths and weaknesses become more pronounced.

Real-World Sample Images: Seeing Is Believing

Here’s a gallery comparing samples under identical conditions - rough daylight, indoor, macro, and telephoto.

Canon SX120 IS screen back Sony W620 front Sony W620 screen back

Notice Canon's warmer tones in portraits, slightly softer edges in the telephoto shot, and crisp macro detail. Sony impresses with sharper daylight landscape details and punchier contrast, but falls off in dim interiors with higher noise.

Final Verdict: A Tale of Two Compact Cameras for Distinct Users

Both the Canon PowerShot SX120 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W620 fill valuable niches for photography enthusiasts on a budget - or those seeking an inexpensive second camera.

• Pick the Canon SX120 IS if you want manual exposure, a longer zoom lens, closer macro work, and a more traditional physical feel when shooting. It’s a camera that invites learning and experimentation.
• Opt for the Sony W620 if you want a simple, lightweight point-and-shoot with solid autofocus, decent wide-angle, and HD video recording. Great for casual snaps, travel, and social sharing on the go.

Neither will challenge modern mirrorless systems or advanced compacts with larger sensors, but both can deliver rewarding experiences for their price and their time.

Afterword: Beyond Specs and Pixels

Having tested both cameras in diverse scenarios - the SX120 IS along jungly hiking trails and cluttered city streets, the W620 tucked in a coat pocket on urban strolls - I appreciate how each carved out its little corner of the photography world.

The joy of shooting isn’t always about megapixels or the latest gimmick; sometimes it’s about handling something that feels right in your hands, fits your style, and helps you connect with the moment.

I hope this comparison, with all its technical depth and practical insights, helps you pick the compact companion that makes photography feel effortless - or at least, fun.

Happy shooting!