• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 156.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon S5200 advantages over Canon S120

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    156 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 29 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    146g vs 217g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon S120 advantages over Nikon S5200

  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • 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 1.34 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 230 vs 160 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.8 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S5200

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon S120

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony TX200V

Nikon S5200
Sony TX200V
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Touchscreen
Canon S120
Sony TX200V
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony TX20

Nikon S5200
Sony TX20
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Touchscreen
Canon S120
Sony TX20
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Fujifilm XF1

Nikon S5200
Fujifilm XF1
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon S120
Fujifilm XF1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony TF1

Nikon S5200
Sony TF1
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking
Canon S120
Sony TF1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Fujifilm XQ1

Nikon S5200
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
Canon S120
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor
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