Sony DSLR-A290 vs Canon S120

Sony DSLR-A290 advantages over Canon S120

• Larger sensor
  APS-C vs 1/1.7 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
• Bigger pixels
  ~ 5.16 vs 1.90 microns
  Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
• Fast startup
  ~0.50 vs 1.5 sec
  Faster startup lets you catch the moment
• 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.

  DSLR-A290 test data on DxO Mark S120 test data on DxO Mark
  615 vs 246 iso
  Take photos in low light with less noise
• Longer stills battery life
  More info

  Longer stills battery life

  Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

  Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

  500 vs 230 shots
  Capture more photos
• Hot shoe
  Hot shoe vs None
  Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
• More pixels
  14.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
  Higher resolution photos
• Bulb shutter
  Bulb vs No bulb
  Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
• Bigger JPEG buffer
  18 vs 5 shots
  Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
• Faster shutter
  1/4000 vs 1/2500 sec
  Shoot wide open in bright light