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Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus VG-120

Portability
80
Imaging
45
Features
34
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
 
Olympus VG-120 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
24
Overall
31

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Key Specs

Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Revealed January 2016
Olympus VG-120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Overview

Following is a detailed overview of the Canon SX420 IS and Olympus VG-120, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Canon and Olympus. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the SX420 IS (20MP) and VG-120 (14MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX420 IS was manufactured 5 years after the VG-120 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SX420 IS scores against the VG-120 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Olympus VG-120

 SX420 IS VG-120 
LaunchedJanuary 2016January 2011More modern by 61 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Canon SX420 IS

 VG-120 SX420 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Olympus VG-120

 SX420 IS VG-120 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX420 IS has exterior dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Olympus VG-120 has proportions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX420 IS and Olympus VG-120 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the SX420 IS versus the VG-120.

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus VG-120 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX420 IS and VG-120 is 80 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus VG-120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes merely by going over a spec sheet. The image below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX420 IS and VG-120.

As you can see, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can count on the Canon SX420 IS to offer extra detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The more modern SX420 IS provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus VG-120 sensor size comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Portrait photography camera
44
manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Street photography camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Street photography camera
52
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
48
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Sports photography details
Olympus VG-120 Sports photography details
41
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
slow continuous shooting (0.5 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (195 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
26
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery life (160 per charge)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Travel photography information
Olympus VG-120 Travel photography information
61
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (1008mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (195 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
62
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low battery life (160 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Landscape photography advice
Olympus VG-120 Landscape photography advice
46
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery power (195 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
36
reasonably wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery life (160 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Vlogging camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Vlogging camera
29
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic support
28
reasonably wide (26mm)
supports face detect focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
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Canon SX420 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX420 IS and Olympus VG-120
 Canon PowerShot SX420 ISOlympus VG-120
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Olympus VG-120
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Revealed 2016-01-05 2011-01-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4+ TruePic III
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Peak resolution 5152 x 3864 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-6.6 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus range 0cm 7cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 0.5 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 4.40 m
Flash settings Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 325 grams (0.72 lb) 120 grams (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 life 195 photos 160 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-11LH LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $299 $190