• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 360.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX120 IS advantages over Canon SX510 HS

  • 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 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster shutter
    1/2500 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon SX510 HS advantages over Canon SX120 IS

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 360 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    461k 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
    12.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.5 fps vs 1.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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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
Canon SX510 HS
Fujifilm S1000fd
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

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
Canon SX510 HS
Canon SX110 IS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

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
Canon SX510 HS
Fujifilm S1500
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Olympus SP-610UZ

Canon SX120 IS
Olympus SP-610UZ
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Manual focus
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • More telephoto lens reach
Canon SX510 HS
Olympus SP-610UZ
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels

Compared to Canon SX400 IS

Canon SX120 IS
Canon SX400 IS
  • $215
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • More telephoto lens reach
Canon SX510 HS
Canon SX400 IS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
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