• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 130.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony TX30 advantages over Canon S120

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    15 mm vs 29 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    141g vs 217g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    18.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon S120 advantages over Sony TX30

  • 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)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.8 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/2500 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony TX30
Sony TX30

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon S120
Canon S120
All S120 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Good image and video quality for a compact waterproof camera; Stylish, pocketable design; Improved ruggedness; Speedy performance including 10 fps continuous shooting at full resolution.

  • Touchscreen unusable and unviewable while submerged; Slim, slick design makes it unwieldy to hold (and difficult to hang onto!) underwater; Poor battery life.

  • Read our Sony TX30 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-TX10

Sony TX30
Sony DSC-TX10
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Sony TX30 vs Sony DSC-TX10

Canon S120
Sony DSC-TX10
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Canon S120 vs Sony DSC-TX10

Compared to Sony DSC-TX100V

Sony TX30
Sony DSC-TX100V
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking
  • $282
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Sony TX30 vs Sony DSC-TX100V

Canon S120
Sony DSC-TX100V
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $282
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compare Canon S120 vs Sony DSC-TX100V

Compared to Sony TX200V

Sony TX30
Sony TX200V
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Sony TX30 vs Sony TX200V

Canon S120
Sony TX200V
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon S120 vs Sony TX200V

Compared to Fujifilm XF1

Sony TX30
Fujifilm XF1
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony TX30 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 Fujifilm XQ1

Sony TX30
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony TX30 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?