• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.1 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon Coolpix S520
  • Canon PowerShot S120
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon S110
S110 vs S120
Successor:    
General
Model Number: S520 S120
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Ultra Compact Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $229.95 $449.99
Street Price: $162.44 $449.00
Date Available: 2008-03-15 2013-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 4.1 oz (115 g) 7.7 oz (217 g)
includes batteries
Size: 3.7 x 2.1 x 0.9 in.
(94 x 53 x 23 mm)
3.9 x 2.3 x 1.1 in.
(100 x 59 x 29 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 8.1 12.1
Sensor Format: 1/2.5 inch 1/1.7 inch
Sensor size: 24.7104mm2 (5.76mm x 4.29mm) 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.77 microns 1.90 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type:   RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   56
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   21.3
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   11.9
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   246
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3246 x 2448 (7.9 MP, 4:3),
3200 x 1800 (5.8 MP, 16:9),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1),
2400 x 3000 (7.2 MP, Other),
1696 x 2112 (3.6 MP, Other),
960 x 1200 (1.2 MP, Other),
384 x 480 (0.2 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: n/a 11.8
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​30p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p/​120p)
320x240 (240p)
Movie File Format:   MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Nikkor lens, 5 elements in 5 groups Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 35 - 105mm 24 - 120mm
Focal Length (actual): 5.7 - 17.1mm 5.2 - 26mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 5.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (wide) / f/4.7 (tele) - ??? f/1.8 (W) / 5.7 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No Yes
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 15 cm to Infinity
5.9 in to Infinity
3 - 50 cm
1.2 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: No Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect with Face Priority AF Contrast Detect AF: AiAF (Face Detection / 9-point), 1-point AF (Any position is available, fixed centre or Face Select and Track)
Auto Focus Assist Light? n/a Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type:    
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 154,000 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom:   10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   12800
Minimum ISO (native):   80
ISO Settings: Auto (64 - 1600), 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2000 Auto with selectable upper limit (400-12800), ISO 80-12800 in 1/3 EV steps
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings:   Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom (2), Underwater
Shutter Speed Range:   1/2500 - 250 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation:   +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:   Evaluative, Centre-weighted average, Spot; Facial brightness evaluated in Face Detection AF
Program Auto Exposure: No Yes
Aperture Priority: No Yes
Shutter Priority: No Yes
Full Manual Exposure: No Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   SCN: Portrait, Smart Shutter, Star (Star Nightscape, Star Trails, Star Time-Lapse Movie), Handheld Night Scene, Underwater, Snow, Fireworks; Creative Filters: High Dynamic Range, Nostalgic, Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Background Defocus, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect
Self Timer:   10, 2, Custom (1-30s (1-10 shots)) seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: n/a Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a 1.6 ft. – 23 ft. (W), 1.6 – 7.5 ft. Auto ISO: (T) (50cm – 7m (W), (50cm – 2.3m (T))
Max Flash Sync:    
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes
Uncompressed Format:   RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Included Memory: 23.0 MB No memory included
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: No Yes
Remote Control: No No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended):   Mini (Type-C) HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):   0.94
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   1.18
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   1.31
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):   11.8
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):   5
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   1.9
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   Unlimited
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   1.4
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   Unlimited
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):   0.17 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):   0.30 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.262 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.71 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):   0.095 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:   1.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   1.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   6.2 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 180 shots 230 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL10 Proprietary NB-6LH
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL10 Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-6LH Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software:   Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:   Windows; Mac OS X
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: DIGIC 6 processor, BSI sensor, f/1.8-5.7 5x lens, built-in Wi-Fi.