• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 360.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX120 IS advantages over Olympus SP-100

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.58 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 133 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    302g vs 589g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster shutter
    1/2500 vs 1/1700 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus SP-100 advantages over Canon SX120 IS

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 360 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Newer
    11 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.80 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.3 fps vs 1.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm S1000fd

Canon SX120 IS
Fujifilm S1000fd
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Manual focus
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX120 IS vs Fujifilm S1000fd

Olympus SP-100
Fujifilm S1000fd
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SP-100 vs Fujifilm S1000fd

Compared to Canon SX110 IS

Canon SX120 IS
Canon SX110 IS
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX110 IS

Olympus SP-100
Canon SX110 IS
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SP-100 vs Canon SX110 IS

Compared to Fujifilm S1500

Canon SX120 IS
Fujifilm S1500
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX120 IS vs Fujifilm S1500

Olympus SP-100
Fujifilm S1500
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SP-100 vs Fujifilm S1500

Compared to Fujifilm SL1000

Canon SX120 IS
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX120 IS vs Fujifilm SL1000

Olympus SP-100
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus SP-100 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Compared to Panasonic FZ70

Canon SX120 IS
Panasonic FZ70
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic FZ70

Olympus SP-100
Panasonic FZ70
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic FZ70

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