Canon S120 vs Olympus E-M10 II

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Canon S120 vs Olympus E-M10 II

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1/1.7 inch 43.3mm²
12.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon S120 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon S120 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the S120.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M10 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M10 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M10 II.
Compare Olympus E-M10 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M10 II conclusion.

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Differences

Canon S120 advantages over Olympus E-M10 II

Slower slow-motion
240 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
29 mm vs 46 mm
Thinner
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
250 vs 60 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.8 fps vs 8.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 18 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Olympus E-M10 II advantages over Canon S120

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 3.75 vs 1.90 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-M10 II test data on DxO Mark S120 test data on DxO Mark

842 vs 246 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

320 vs 230 shots
Capture more photos
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
28 vs 5 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.9 fps vs 1.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/2500 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read S120 User Reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-M10 II

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Black)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Brown)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Silver)
Kit with 14-42mm II R lens

All E-M10 II Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon S120, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon S120 Shooter's Report

Excellent value for the money; Professional-grade ergonomics; Incredibly good image quality for its class; Solid performance specs across the board; Loaded with features.
Kit lens may not be quite as sharp as previous kit lens from this line; Below average battery life; Somewhat confusing menu systems.
Read our Olympus E-M10 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm XF1

Canon S120

Fujifilm XF1

$449
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$460
2/3 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon S120 vs Fujifilm XF1

Olympus E-M10 II

Fujifilm XF1

$349
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$460
2/3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Thinner

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Fujifilm XF1

Compared to Olympus XZ-10

Canon S120

Olympus XZ-10

$449
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$299
1/2.3 inch

Hot shoe
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Canon S120 vs Olympus XZ-10

Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus XZ-10

$349
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$299
1/2.3 inch

Slower slow-motion
Integrated ND filter

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Olympus XZ-10

Compared to Fujifilm XQ1

Canon S120

Fujifilm XQ1

$449
1/1.7 inch

Touchscreen
More telephoto lens reach

$699
2/3 inch

Slower slow-motion
Larger sensor

Compare Canon S120 vs Fujifilm XQ1

Olympus E-M10 II

Fujifilm XQ1

$349
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
2/3 inch

Slower slow-motion
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Fujifilm XQ1

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Canon S120

Olympus E-M10

$449
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Integrated ND filter

$399
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon S120 vs Olympus E-M10

Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10

$349
4/3

Fast startup
Shoots 24p video

$399
4/3

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Olympus E-M10

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Canon S120

Panasonic GX85

$449
1/1.7 inch

Integrated ND filter
Thinner

$598
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon S120 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M10 II

Panasonic GX85

$349
4/3

Higher effective ISO
More telephoto lens reach

$598
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Panasonic GX85

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