• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon S120 advantages over Sony RX100 IV

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~1.50 vs 2.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 41 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    217g vs 295g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 28 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Sony RX100 IV advantages over Canon S120

  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Slower slow-motion
    1000 fps vs 240 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    562 vs 246 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 280 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    16.0 fps vs 11.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    40 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.6 fps vs 1.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 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

  • 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
  • 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.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Both provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Buy the Canon S120

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100 IV

Review Excerpt

  • Vastly improved burst speeds with deep buffer; Great performance with very fast autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; High-quality 4K video with uncompressed HDMI out; Super-fast High Frame Rate video; Same great pocket-friendly design.

  • Pricey for a compact camera; JPEGs can look over-processed at higher ISOs; Lens doesn't offer as much telephoto reach; Battery life not as good as predecessor; 24-70mm-equivalent lens can feel limiting.

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
Sony RX100 IV
Fujifilm XF1
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

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
Sony RX100 IV
Olympus XZ-10
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

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
Sony RX100 IV
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Canon S120
Sony RX100 III
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Touchscreen
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 III
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $748
  • 1 inch

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Canon S120
Sony RX100 V
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 V
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Faster JPEG shooting
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