Canon S120 vs Panasonic GX850

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Canon S120 vs Panasonic GX850

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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
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX850 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX850 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX850.
Compare Panasonic GX850 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX850 conclusion.

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Differences

Canon S120 advantages over Panasonic GX850

Less expensive
$450 vs $550 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Fast startup
~1.50 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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 9.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GX850 advantages over Canon S120

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.77 vs 1.90 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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.
GX850 test data on DxO Mark S120 test data on DxO Mark

586 vs 246 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GX850 test data on DxO Mark S120 test data on DxO Mark

13.3 vs 11.9 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Newer
8 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
16.0 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
114 vs 5 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.5 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
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

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
Hot shoe
Neither provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX850 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon S120

Canon S120

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Buy the Panasonic GX850

Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Silver)

All GX850 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

Impressive image quality; Sleek design; 4K video recording; Good overall performance; Tilting touchscreen; Enjoyable user experience.
No EVF; No hot shoe, Short 4K clip limit; MicroSD card slot, Poor battery life.
Read our Panasonic GX850 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

Panasonic GX850

Fujifilm XF1

$548
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$460
2/3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic GX850 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

Panasonic GX850

Olympus XZ-10

$548
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$299
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX850 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

Panasonic GX850

Fujifilm XQ1

$548
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$699
2/3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Fujifilm XQ1

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Canon S120

Panasonic GM5

$449
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon S120 vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GM5

$548
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Canon S120

Panasonic GF7

$449
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$590
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon S120 vs Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GF7

$548
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$590
4/3

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GF7

Compare Other Cameras?