Canon PowerShot S120 Review | 108 Data compared

The Canon PowerShot S120 is a highly pocketable, enthusiast-class compact camera that features a 12.1-megapixel 1/1.7-inch back-illuminated CMOS sensor paired with a DIGIC 6 processor. It stands out for its 5x optical zoom lens (24-120mm equivalent range) that offers a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture at the widest angle, though it quickly slows down to f/5.7 when zoomed in. A major highlight of this model is its overhauled continuous shooting performance, which can shoot at a blistering 12.1fps for the first five shots and maintain a sustained 9.4fps for up to 635 frames. Additional key strengths include a sharp 3-inch 920k-dot touchscreen interface that supports intuitive tap-to-focus capabilities during both stills and movie capture, full manual exposure controls, RAW file support, a built-in 3-stop Neutral Density (ND) filter, and effective 4-stop optical image stabilisation. However, the camera comes with notable downsides, particularly regarding its Wi-Fi implementation which lacks wireless remote control capabilities and features a cumbersome social media setup process that requires an external computer gateway registration. The camera also drops the 24fps video mode found in its predecessor, and its...

The PCMag review highlights the Canon PowerShot S120 as a capable, pocket-friendly camera offering significant performance upgrades, including a sharp lens, integrated Wi-Fi, raw support, and a large 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor. Key strengths include a fast 10fps continuous shooting mode and high-quality 1080p60 video, making it a strong choice for enthusiasts seeking portability. However, the review notes drawbacks such as a maximum aperture that narrows significantly when zooming (f/1.8 to f/5.7) and a limited 5x zoom range, which restricts low-light versatility. Additionally, the $450 camera lacks a hot shoe or EVF, and its image quality does not quite reach the level of premium,1-inch sensor competitors.

The Canon PowerShot S120 is highly recommended as a premium, pocket-sized camera that offers significant upgrades over its predecessor, including a faster f/1.8 aperture, improved continuous shooting, and a high-resolution screen. It delivers impressive image quality, with the review particularly praising its unique star trail shooting mode for creative photography. ePHOTOzine However, the analysis highlights, as key cons, a restrictive battery life with a low 200-shot CIPA rating, which drains further with Wi-Fi usage, and the omission of an integrated GPS unit, requiring smartphone connectivity for location tagging. Despite these drawbacks, the S120 is lauded for its robust, feature-packed design.

The Canon PowerShot S120 is a sturdy, well-built, and truly pocketable high-end compact camera that offers major performance upgrades over its predecessor, the S110. Its standout features include a customisable lens control ring for quick setting adjustments, a responsive 3-inch touchscreen, and a 50 per cent faster autofocus system. Equipped with a 12.2-megapixel 1/1.7-inch sensor and a Digic 6 processor, it delivers impressive, largely noise-free images at low-to-mid ISO sensitivities (ISO 80–800) and features a slightly wider maximum aperture of f/1.8 at its wide-angle setting. It also comes packed with premium features such as raw file support, 1080p video, and revamped Wi-Fi connectivity that allows direct sharing to Facebook and Twitter. However, the camera is not without its flaws. It suffers from a limited battery life of around 200 shots per charge—which is further drained if the confusing, multi-step Wi-Fi interface is utilized. Reviewers noted a persistent issue with overexposure and blown-out highlights in standard metering scenarios, as well as occasional purple fringing and a sharp drop in available aperture to f/5.7 at the longer 120mm end of the zoom....

The Canon PowerShot S120 is lauded as a premium enthusiast compact featuring a robust magnesium alloy body, excellent handling with a customizable lens ring, and a 922,000-dot touchscreen. It delivers high-quality 12.1-megapixel images with accurate color reproduction thanks to the DIGIC 6 processor. However, the camera suffers from very poor battery life, lasting only around 170 shots, and carries a high price point compared to rivals. Additionally, while shooting speeds are fast, overall performance did not fully meet the highest expectations for its premium classification.

The Canon PowerShot S120 is a premium, pocket-sized compact camera that features a 1/1.7-inch 12-megapixel sensor and a 5x zoom lens. Powered by the DIGIC 6 processor, it delivers exceptionally fast performance, including a record-setting 10fps continuous JPEG shooting mode and surprisingly quick RAW capture. Video capabilities are a standout feature, offering smooth 1080p footage at up to 60fps backed by an impressive five-axis image stabilisation system. It also improves upon its predecessor by integrating a high-resolution 3-inch touchscreen for easy autofocus tracking, built-in Wi-Fi, and specialized "Star" long-exposure presets for night sky photography. However, the camera falls short of its main competitors in a few key areas. While the lens starts at a bright f/1.8 for wide-angle shots, zooming in closes the aperture down to an unremarkable f/5.7, which forces the camera to raise its ISO in low light and dramatically softens fine image details. The automatic white balance can be unreliable, occasionally flattening colours or leaving a hazy glow around bright highlights. Furthermore, continuous tracking autofocus during bursts frequently misses focus, the quick-access touchscreen menu requires tedious scrolling,...

The Canon PowerShot S120 is a premium pocket-sized compact camera that introduces several notable internal upgrades over its predecessor, the S110, while keeping a slim form factor. It is the first in the S series to feature a bright f/1.8 aperture lens with a 5x optical zoom starting at 24mm. Equipped with the same 12.1-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor and Digic 6 processor as the larger G16, it delivers enhanced low-light image quality and impressive high-speed performance. The camera can shoot continuous JPEGs at up to 9.4fps without buffering, offers full manual control, and shoots in raw format. It also features a 3-inch touchscreen, a control ring around the lens, Full HD video recording at 60fps, manual focus peaking, and automated shooting options like Star Mode and Background Defocus. The review highlights several distinct advantages and drawbacks of the device. The pros include its exceptional pocketability paired with high-quality results, full manual control options, raw format capabilities, and a responsive touchscreen interface. Additionally, it incorporates built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and a faster autofocus speed that has been improved by roughly 50%. On...

Here is a summary of the Canon PowerShot S120 review: However, the camera has several performance limitations. While the f/1.8 aperture is generous at the wide end, it drops sharply to f/5.7 once you utilize the modest 5x optical zoom, which is ultimately too short for sports photography. Additionally, image definition significantly falls off at higher sensitivities, with noticeable noise creeping in at ISO 3200 and ugly pixel clumping making ISO 12,800 unusable. Physical design drawbacks include a recessed power button that is difficult to tap, a display screen that unfortunately does not tilt, and slight barrel distortion at the wide end of the zoom. Ultimately earning a 3 out of 5 rating, it is recommended as an average-quality, pocket-sized bridge camera for beginners looking to sharpen their skills before upgrading to a DSLR.

The Canon PowerShot S120 is a compact camera featuring a 12.1-megapixel 1/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS sensor and DIGIC 6 processor, offering a 24-120mm equivalent lens with a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture at the wide end. Key advantages include its pocketable form factor, RAW support, optical image stabilization, a 3-inch touchscreen, and 1080p 60fps video. Conversely, the lens aperture narrows significantly to f/5.7 at full zoom, limiting low-light performance at that range. Additional drawbacks noted in the review include a somewhat restrictive 5x zoom range and a rear control dial design prone to accidental, unintended presses during operation.

The DXOMARK review of the Canon PowerShot S120 highlights it as a highly portable, well-balanced compact camera that scores a solid 56 points on their sensor tests. It provides marginal performance upgrades over its predecessor. On the positive side, pros include its slightly brighter maximum aperture of f/1.8 (at the wide end), an upgraded 3.0-inch 922k-dot high-resolution LCD touchscreen with autofocus control during video, faster overall autofocus capabilities, and enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity. Additionally, it introduces full HD 1080p video recording at 60 fps, full manual controls, RAW file support, and a DIGIC 6 image processor that extracts the absolute maximum possible image quality from its 12.2-megapixel 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor. It slightly outperforms the Nikon P7800 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 in color depth and dynamic range. However, the review also notes several cons that limit its appeal. The camera remains relatively unchanged from the older S100 series, offering little innovation to justify an upgrade. The maximum aperture still drops drastically to a dim f/5.7 as you use the 5x optical zoom. Furthermore, despite its higher ranking at DXOMARK, the actual...