• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 550.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon S9500 advantages over Canon S120

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Slower slow-motion
    3015 fps vs 240 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • More telephoto lens reach
    550 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Canon S120 advantages over Nikon S9500

  • 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 1.26 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/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 614k 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 7.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/2500 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 S9500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon S120

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony HX10V

Nikon S9500
Sony HX10V
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
Canon S120
Sony HX10V
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Fujifilm XF1

Nikon S9500
Fujifilm XF1
  • $470
  • 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 Panasonic ZS30

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
Canon S120
Panasonic ZS30
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Nikon S9500
Panasonic ZS25
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Canon S120
Panasonic ZS25
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Fujifilm XQ1

Nikon S9500
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon S120
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor
Compare Other Cameras?