Canon usually launches its S range of premium compact cams at the very same time as it updates the G series, and it’s no various this year with the introduction of the Canon PowerShot S120 to replace in 2013’s Canon PowerShot S110.
Much of the outward design of the Canon S120 stays unmodified from its predecessor, but inside there have actually been some significant upgrades.
It’s the first S series video camera to feature a lens with an f/1.8 aperture. Its small dimensions likewise make it the slimmest video camera worldwide to showcase an f/1.8 optic. It’s still a 5x optical zoom, starting at 24mm.
It likewise shares the exact same new 12.1 million pixel back-illuminated CMOS sensing unit as the Canon G16. Although pixel count stays the same as its predecessor, the new design ought to produce much better images. Canon’s newest processor, Digic 6, is also discovered in both designs.
The unique thing about Digic 6 in these designs is that not just should low light efficiency be significantly improved from previous designs, however continuous shooting can provide something rather amazing. The Canon S120 can shoot at 9.4 fps (JPEG only, no continuous autofocus) without a buffer. That suggests that it can shoot, in theory, until your card is full without stopping. You can also stop shooting and reboot without any lag.
Canon states that the autofocus speed of the PowerShot S120 has actually been improved by around 50 %. As before, both models showcase full manual control and raw format shooting. The Canon S120 also includes a control ring around the lens.
Unlike the Canon G16, the Canon S120’s 3-inch screen is touch-sensitive. Both of the brand-new designs now include Wi-Fi connection, with GPS readily available if used in combination with your smartphone.
A new introduction for both models is Star Mode, which has been made to help those wanting to shoot night time photographs. Canon states that it’s so confident of the camera’s low light ability that it wishes to actively urge photographers to make use of the cameras in the dark.
Star Mode is a fully automatic mode which deploys the best settings for capturing the night sky. It likewise has the ability to catch star trails and time-lapse motion pictures within the cam itself, without the requirement for post-production work.
Background Defocus has also been included. This takes two images, one in focus and one out of focus, and integrates the arise from the two immediately to produce a DSLR-type superficial depth of field effect. HDR mode has actually been improved with new digital filters.
Manual focus peaking has been presented on these new designs for the first time in a Canon stills camera. We have seen this previously on Canon video cameras and from other stills video cameras producers.
Full HD video recording is offered at 60fps for smooth movie capture, too.
Whether the Canon S120 is more attractive than the Canon G16 will no doubt be down to individual taste on handling. Because the two have really comparable specs, the Canon S120 deserves considering if you are trying to find something a little smaller sized but with fewer direct controls on the body.
The Canon S120 is likewise more affordable than the Canon G16, with a complete rate of ₤ 449.99 (around US$ 705/AU$780).
Build quality and handling
As formerly mentioned, the Canon S120’s build and make is practically identical to the Canon S110’s, although the top plate now features a shinier material, providing it a much more superior feel.
The Canon S120 feels reassuringly weighty despite its little size, with the streamlined black exterior giving it a classy air.
On top of the cam is a mode dial for quickly switching between the various exposure modes available, consisting of totally automatic, scene, digital filters, semi-automatic (shutter priority and aperture priority) and completely manual. Unlike on the Canon G16, there’s no dial up leading for changing exposure compensation.
The well-liked control ring reappears right here on the Canon S120. This is such a popular feature of the video camera that we’ve actually considering that seen really similar controls appearing on other electronic cameras in the premium compact cam territory. The ring can be customised to regulate various settings, depending on what you favor to use usually. Traditionalists might prefer to set it to manage aperture.
On the back of the camera the design continues to be the same as its predecessor, with a relatively normal array of buttons, including a dial for browsing through the menu and changing crucial settings. Direct exposure payment needs to be controlled from the back of the electronic camera, so unlike the Canon G16, there’s no dedicated ISO button.
Anybody used to making their method through Canon’s menu system will be at home right here, it’s a relatively simple affair. Pushing the central Function button raises a kind of fast menu for adjusting the most frequently used settings, while the primary menu is largely booked for changing things such as the date and time.
Performance
The S range of Canon’s premium compact cameras have constantly been popular and a happiness to use, producing excellent images, so we can be reasonably guaranteed that the most recent variation will likewise provide well – we will obviously be eager to establish that for sure once a final production sample arrives for testing for our full evaluation.
Improvements to the Canon S120’s specification, consisting of the new backlit sensor and Digic 6 processor, should amount to some outstanding outcomes, and we will be looking for exceptional low light performance. It’ll certainly be fascinating to see if the Canon S120 has the ability to take on the terrific Sony RX100 II, especially considering that the Sony has a much larger (one-inch) sensor.
With the pledge of a 50 % boost in AF speed, we will likewise be aiming to see how well the video camera copes in various lighting conditions. We found that the Canon S110 had a stylish autofocus, so it will be fascinating to see what a difference the Digic 6 system makes.
We are kindlied to see the touchscreen staying for the S series. In our brief time with a pre-production variation of the camera we were very impressed with the responsiveness of the screen, making setting the autofocus point particularly quick and easy.
Initial verdict
Canon has a lot more competition in the premium compact video camera department than it previously could’ve done, so it appears to be pulling out all the stops to make its latest updates appealing to customers.
We’ve actually been long time fans of the S array, and it appears like the improvements made might make it a high entertainer – that’s the theory at least. It’ll certainly be rather a feat to match the efficiency of the Sony RX100 Mk II, the electronic camera by which we are determining most superior compacts against at the minute. Right here’s hoping it offers an excellent contest.
Look out for a complete review of the Canon S120 soon.
First reviewed 22 August 2013