• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 360.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 550.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX120 IS advantages over Nikon S9500

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.58 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/2500 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon S9500 advantages over Canon SX120 IS

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    550 mm vs 360 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    30 mm vs 44 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    205g vs 302g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.5 fps vs 1.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm S1000fd

Canon SX120 IS
Fujifilm S1000fd
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Manual focus
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon S9500
Fujifilm S1000fd
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon SX110 IS

Canon SX120 IS
Canon SX110 IS
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
Nikon S9500
Canon SX110 IS
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm S1500

Canon SX120 IS
Fujifilm S1500
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon S9500
Fujifilm S1500
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic ZS30

Canon SX120 IS
Panasonic ZS30
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS30
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Canon SX120 IS
Panasonic ZS25
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS25
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
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