• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony HX50V advantages over Canon S120

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon S120 advantages over Sony HX50V

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 38 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.8 fps vs 10.0 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
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony HX50V
Sony HX50V

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon S120
Canon S120

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm XF1

Sony HX50V
Fujifilm XF1
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX50V vs 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

Compared to Fujifilm XQ1

Sony HX50V
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony HX50V vs 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

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Sony HX50V
Panasonic ZS40
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Hot shoe
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony HX50V vs Panasonic ZS40

Canon S120
Panasonic ZS40
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon S120 vs Panasonic ZS40

Compared to Sony HX90V

Sony HX50V
Sony HX90V
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Faster shutter
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony HX50V vs Sony HX90V

Canon S120
Sony HX90V
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon S120 vs Sony HX90V

Compared to Nikon A900

Sony HX50V
Nikon A900
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony HX50V vs Nikon A900

Canon S120
Nikon A900
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon S120 vs Nikon A900

Compare Other Cameras?