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Canon PowerShot S120

PRO rating
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How it works?
  1. User ratingsUser ratingsratings of product added by Productz users
  2. Expert ratingsExpert ratingsexperts ratings from editorial reviews
  3. Consumer ratingsConsumer ratingsratings from the biggest online stores worldwide
Legend
  1. Excellent
  2. Good
  3. Poor
  4. Average
4.2
based on all reviews
User ratings:
41
4.3 out of 5
41 user ratings
5 stars
36 %
4 stars
60 %
3 stars
2 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Editorial reviews:
24
  1. See more
4.0 out of 5
13 user ratings
5 stars
30 %
4 stars
46 %
3 stars
23 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Read editorial reviews

Pros

  • faster performance and 1080p60 video capture
  • faster performance and an improved video mode
  • The footage is sharp

Cons

  • it lacks an optical viewfinder
  • the buttons are a bit more tightly packed in
  • $450 price is a bit on the high side

Key specs

  • CMOS
  • 7.44x5.58 mm
  • 12 Mpx
  • 4000, 3000 px
  • 1.8
  • Continuous Auto Focus, Face detection, Servo Auto Focus, Single Auto Focus
  • 3.0 in
  • yes

Compare technical data of the product to its category

Canon

Canon PowerShot S120 - Pros & Cons

Canon PowerShot S120

Pros

  • faster performance and 1080p60 video capture
  • faster performance and an improved video mode
  • The footage is sharp
  • with excellent colors and detail
  • the camera to look very clean and stylish from the front
  • All of the buttons and dials also feel well made and are a pleasure to use
  • build quality and the ability to produce really nice looking images and videos
  • it comes with a really nice and grippy texture
  • portability and image quality
  • S120 and all the features it contains in such a small package
  • optical image stabilization is also quite effective

Cons

  • it lacks an optical viewfinder
  • the buttons are a bit more tightly packed in
  • $450 price is a bit on the high side
  • S120 lacks a hot shoe
  • unfortunately limited to a maximum of 5 frames
  • there is no way to remotely control the S120
  • S120 is too small to have a viewfinder
  • only sports the focus assist light
  • have to focus on our chosen aspect
  • slight increase in lens brightness from f2
  • lacks a proper handgrip

Canon PowerShot S120 - Technical Overview

PoorAverageGoodExcellent
IconScreen size
3 in
Best:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710
Screen size: 6.7 in
IconISO maximum
12800
Best:
Pentax KP
ISO maximum: 819200
IconEffective pixels
12 Mpx
Best:
Hasselblad H6D-100c
Effective pixels: 100 Mpx
IconMax resolution
4000 x 3000 px
Best:
Leica M11
Max resolution: 9528 x 6328 px

Canon - Video Reviews (9)

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Canon PowerShot S120 - Full Specifications

Icon
Sensor
Sensor typeCMOS
Sensor size0.29 in
Sensor photo detectors13.0 Mpx
Effective pixels12.0 Mpx
Image ratio w:h
  • 1:1
  • 5:4
  • 4:3
  • 3:2
  • 16:9
Max resolution4000 x 3000 px
Other resolutions
  • 4000x3000
  • 4000x2248
  • 4000x2664
  • 2992x2992
  • 2816x2112
  • 2816x1880
  • 2816x1584
  • 2112x2112
  • 1920x1080
  • 1600x1200
  • 1600x1064
  • 1200x1200
  • 640x480
  • 640x424
  • 640x360
  • 480x480
ProcessorDIGIC 6 iSAPS
Icon
Optics and focus
Optical zoom5.0 x
Digital zoom4.0 x
Minimum aperture1.8
Maximum aperture1.8
Focal length equiv24 - 120
Focus adjustmentAuto/Manual
Autofocus
  • Continuous Auto Focus
  • Face detection
  • Servo Auto Focus
  • Single Auto Focus
Auto Focus (AF) lockyes
Manual focusyes
Auto Focus (AF) assist beamyes
Macro focus range1.18 in
Number of focus points9
Image stabiliserOptical
Filter threadno
Folded opticsno
Icon
Photography features
Shooting modes
  • Aperture priority
  • Auto
  • Manual
  • Movie
  • Program
  • Scene
  • Shutter priority
Minimum shutter speed15.0 s
Maximum shutter speed1.0 s
Shutter priorityyes
Aperture priorityyes
Manual exposure modeyes
Exposure compensation plus3
Exposure compensation minus-3
Expousure compensation steps1/3
Auto exposure lockyes
Self-timer delay
  • 2
  • 10
Histogramyes
Subject / scene modesyes
Built-in flashyes
Flash range7
Flash modes
  • Auto
  • Flash OFF
  • Flash ON
  • Manual
  • Redeye Reduction
  • Slow Sync
External flashno
Continuous drive12.1 fps
Scene modes
  • Beach
  • Fireworks
  • Portrait
  • Snow
  • Underwater
Self-timeryes
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
3D supportno
Manual settingsyes
Self-timer options
  • 2
  • 10
  • custom
Icon
Audio features
Built-in microphoneyes
Microphone typeStereo
Speaker typeMono
Icon
Dimensions
Weight7.65 oz
Width3.94 in
Height2.32 in
Depth1.14 in
Icon
Power
Power source typeBattery
Battery life (CIPA)230
Battery technology
Lithium-Ion
Rechargeable batteryyes
Number of batteries supported1
Icon
Other features
Timelapse recordingyes
GPSno
Orientation sensoryes
DLNA certifiedno
Energy Star certifiedno
On Screen Display (OSD) languages
  • ARA
  • CHI
  • CHI
  • CZE
  • DAN
  • DEU
  • DUT
  • ENG
  • ESP
  • FIN
  • FRE
  • GRE
  • HUN
  • ITA
  • JPN
  • KOR
  • NOR
  • POL
  • POR
  • RUM
  • RUS
  • SWE
  • THA
  • TUR
  • UKR
Icon
Image
ISO
  • 80
  • 100
  • 125
  • 160
  • 200
  • 250
  • 320
  • 400
  • 500
  • 640
  • 800
  • 1000
  • 1250
  • 1600
  • 2000
  • 2500
  • 3200
  • 4000
  • 5000
  • 6400
  • 8000
  • 10000
  • 12800
  • Auto
ISO Autoyes
ISO minimum80
ISO maximum12800
Maximum image resolution4000 x 3000 px
White balance presets7
White balance modes
  • Auto
  • Cloudy
  • Custom modes
  • Daylight
  • Fluorescent
  • Fluorescent H
  • Tungsten
  • Underwater
Custom white balanceyes
Supported image file formatsJPG
Photo effects
  • Black&White
  • Neutral
  • Sepia
  • Vivid
Image stabilizeryes
Image stabilization typeOptical
Supported aspect ratios
  • 1:1
  • 3:2
  • 4:3
  • 4:5
  • 16:9
Uncompressed formatRAW
Icon
Screen and viewfinder
Screen size3.0 in
Articulated LCDno
Screen technologyLCD
Screen dots922000
Touch screenyes
Field of view100.0 %
Live viewyes
ViewfinderNone
Icon
Videography features
Maximum resolution1920 x 1080 px
Video recordingyes
Recording resolutions
  • 320 x 240
  • 640 x 480
  • 1280 x 720
  • 1920 x 1080
HD typeFull HD
Supported video file formatsMP4
Analog signal format system
  • NTSC
  • PAL
Max resolution (highest frame rate)320 x 240
Max frame rate (highest resolution)60.0 fps
Max frame rate (regardless of res.)240.0 fps
Motion JPEG frame rate60.0 fps
Icon
Design
Body typeCompact
Colour of productBlack
Environmentally sealedno
Icon
Storage
Compatible memory cards
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
Memory slots1
Storage types
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
Camera file system
  • DPOF 1.1
  • Exif 2.3
  • RAW
Icon
Connectivity
mini-HDMIyes
HDMI ports quantity1
HDMI connector typeMini
USB connector typeMini-USB B
USB version2.0
WirelessBuilt-In
Supported WiFi types
  • IEEE 802.11b
  • IEEE 802.11g
  • IEEE 802.11n
Remote controlNo
PictBridgeyes
NFCno
Wireless network (Wi-Fi)yes
Bluetoothno
AV outputyes

Canon PowerShot S120 - Q&A

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Canon PowerShot S120 Canon - Editorial Reviews (24)

4.0
Based on 24 reviews
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
Canon PowerShot S120 Canon S120
Trusted Reviews logo
Trusted Reviews
Published: 25.11.2013
Canon S120
4.0

The Canon S120 combines the small pocketable design of a compact with some serious imaging tools.

Canon PowerShot S120 Canon S120 Review
Imaging Resource logo
Imaging Resource
Published: 22.08.2013
Canon S120 Review

Our Canon S120 review tells why it's such a great pocket camera for enthusiast shooters. Great shots, lots of control, hard to beat...

Canon PowerShot S120 Canon S120 review
TechRadar logo
TechRadar
Published: 23.12.2013
Canon S120 review
4.5

Pocket sized premium compact is packed with exciting features

Canon PowerShot S120 2015 Roundup: Advanced Zoom Compacts
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DPReview
Published: 10.11.2015
2015 Roundup: Advanced Zoom Compacts

While most of the cameras in this category fall within the $500-$800 range (with a few exceptions), offerings vary quite a bit in terms of sensor size, control points, zoom range, video capabilities and built-in electronic viewfinders (or lack thereof). In general, we only included flagship compacts from each brand. All of the cameras here offer some sort of zoom range, in general, less than 8x. Get an overview of the category and find out our recommendations. Read more

Canon PowerShot S120 Canon PowerShot S120 review: Pocket marvel?
DXOMARK logo
DXOMARK
Published: 21.10.2013
Canon PowerShot S120 review: Pocket marvel?

Featuring a more compact body and a smaller zoom, Canon’s PowerShot S120 is the latest iteration of the popular alternative to the firm’s PowerShot G series. Read on to see how well it performed our labs. 

Canon PowerShot S120 Canon PowerShot S120 review | Cameralabs
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Cameralabs
Published: 24.10.2013
Canon PowerShot S120 review | Cameralabs
4.2

Canon PowerShot S120 Canon PowerShot S120 - The Most Refined PowerShot Yet
hardwarezone.com.sg logo
hardwarezone.com.sg
Published: 21.11.2013
Canon PowerShot S120 - The Most Refined PowerShot Yet
4.3

Canon's S-series was one of the first few entries in the compact prosumer segment at a time when manufacturers were focusing on affordable DSLR cameras. So what does the latest model, the S120, bring to the table? Join us to find out how the S-series has evolved amid stiff competition.

Canon PowerShot S120 High-end pocketable compacts roundup (2014)
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DPReview
Published: 27.11.2014
High-end pocketable compacts roundup (2014)

Which pocketable compact camera should I buy?

Canon PowerShot S120 Canon PowerShot S120 review
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portablegear.nl
Canon PowerShot S120 review

In het Canon PowerShot S120 productdossier lees je alles over de PowerShot S120. Lees wat de PowerShot S120 allemaal kan op onze review- en specificatiepagina.

Canon PowerShot S120 Canon PowerShot S120 Review | Photography Blog
photographyblog.com logo
photographyblog.com
Published: 08.10.2013
Canon PowerShot S120 Review | Photography Blog
4.5

The Canon PowerShot S120 is a new compact camera for enthusiasts. Featuring a 5x zoom lens with a fast maximum aperture of f/1.8, ISO range of 80-12,800, 12.1fps burst shooting, RAW support, full manual controls, built-in wi-fi connectivity, touchscreen interface and 1080p video at 60fps, the Canon S120 is a slim and stylish camera that you can easily fit in a trouser pocket. Read our in-depth Canon PowerShot S120 review now to find out if it's the best premium compact camera...

Canon PowerShot S120 Review Canon Powershot S120 Digital Camera
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Digital Photography School
Published: 15.12.2013
Review Canon Powershot S120 Digital Camera
3.0

Review Canon Powershot S120 Digital Camera - overview of features, sample images and test video.

Canon PowerShot S120 Canon PowerShot S120 review
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T3
Published: 28.01.2014
Canon PowerShot S120 review
4.0

The Canon PowerShot S120 packs a next-gen processor that's 50% faster

Canon PowerShot S120 High-end pocketable compacts roundup (2013)
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Published: 26.11.2013
High-end pocketable compacts roundup (2013)

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Canon PowerShot S120 Canon PowerShot S120 Review | Photography Blog
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photographyblog.com
Published: 08.10.2013
Canon PowerShot S120 Review | Photography Blog
4.5

Expert review of the Canon PowerShot S120 camera with sample photos, test shots, videos and more...

Canon PowerShot S120 Canon PowerShot S120 review: Little camera with a nice, big sensor that delivers
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Published: 08.05.2014
Canon PowerShot S120 review: Little camera with a nice, big sensor that delivers
4.0

Premium end compact camera with larger than average sensor is a fit for the pocket.

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