• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 550.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon S9500 advantages over Canon S120

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Slower slow-motion
    3015 fps vs 240 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • More telephoto lens reach
    550 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Canon S120 advantages over Nikon S9500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.8 fps vs 7.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/2500 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony HX10V

Nikon S9500
Sony HX10V
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Sony HX10V

Canon S120
Sony HX10V
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon S120 vs Sony HX10V

Compared to Fujifilm XF1

Nikon S9500
Fujifilm XF1
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S9500 vs 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

Compared to Panasonic ZS30

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS30
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS30

Canon S120
Panasonic ZS30
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Canon S120 vs Panasonic ZS30

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS25
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon S9500 vs Panasonic ZS25

Canon S120
Panasonic ZS25
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon S120 vs Panasonic ZS25

Compared to Fujifilm XQ1

Nikon S9500
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S9500 vs 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

Compare Other Cameras?