• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 84.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon S120 advantages over Canon G9X

  • Fast startup
    ~1.50 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Less shutter lag
    0.17 vs 0.29 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.8 fps vs 6.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    1.9 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Canon G9X advantages over Canon S120

  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    495 vs 246 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Both provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Smallest 1-inch sensor camera available; Slips in a pants pocket almost unnoticed; Bright lens at wide-angle; Great image quality; Swift 6.5 fps JPEG burst shooting; Intuitive touch-screen control; In-camera Wi-Fi gets images onto your phone easily

  • Limited 3x zoom range; Tighter wide-angle than competitors; JPEG buffer limited to 10 frames; very slow bracketing / raw burst shooting; Touch-screen menus take lots of tapping; Poor battery life

  • Read our Canon G9X Review

The Competition

Compared to 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

Canon G9X
Fujifilm XF1
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon G9X vs Fujifilm XF1

Compared to Canon S110

Canon S120
Canon S110
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Canon S120 vs Canon S110

Canon G9X
Canon S110
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Canon G9X vs Canon S110

Compared to Olympus XZ-10

Canon S120
Olympus XZ-10
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Canon S120 vs Olympus XZ-10

Canon G9X
Olympus XZ-10
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Hot shoe

Compare Canon G9X vs Olympus XZ-10

Compared to 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

Canon G9X
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon G9X vs Fujifilm XQ1

Compared to Canon G9X Mark II

Canon S120
Canon G9X Mark II
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Wider angle lens
  • $449
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon S120 vs Canon G9X Mark II

Canon G9X
Canon G9X Mark II
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $449
  • 1 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Canon G9X vs Canon G9X Mark II

Compare Other Cameras?