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

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Differences

Canon S120 advantages over Panasonic CM1

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 60 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

Panasonic CM1 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)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 29 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher-res screen
    2074k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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.

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
  • 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

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Buy the Canon S120
Canon S120

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Buy the Panasonic CM1
Panasonic CM1 (Black)

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P300

Canon S120
Nikon P300
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon S120 vs Nikon P300

Panasonic CM1
Nikon P300
  • $549
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Panasonic CM1 vs Nikon P300

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

Panasonic CM1
Fujifilm XF1
  • $549
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic CM1 vs Fujifilm XF1

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

Panasonic CM1
Olympus XZ-10
  • $549
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic CM1 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

Panasonic CM1
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $549
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic CM1 vs Fujifilm XQ1

Compared to Fujifilm XQ2

Canon S120
Fujifilm XQ2
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $200
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Canon S120 vs Fujifilm XQ2

Panasonic CM1
Fujifilm XQ2
  • $549
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $200
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic CM1 vs Fujifilm XQ2

Compare Other Cameras?