• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus SH-50 advantages over Canon S120

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    17 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon S120 advantages over Olympus SH-50

  • 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)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.0
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 15 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 6400 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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon S120

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SZ-30MR

Olympus SH-50
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
Canon S120
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels

Compared to Olympus SZ-31MR

Olympus SH-50
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video
Canon S120
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels

Compared to Fujifilm XF1

Olympus SH-50
Fujifilm XF1
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $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 Fujifilm XQ1

Olympus SH-50
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $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

Compared to Olympus SH-1

Olympus SH-50
Olympus SH-1
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Canon S120
Olympus SH-1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
Compare Other Cameras?