Camera Dojo

Canon PowerShot S120: is the 2013 pocket camera still worth it?

The short answer

The Canon PowerShot S120 (2013) is still a capable pocket camera, with a 12.1 MP 1/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS sensor, raw files and a 24-120mm f/1.8-5.7 lens, but MPB listed used copies at $539 and $569 on November 2, 2026, more than its $449.99 launch price.

Reviewers and owners rate it fast, easy to carry and good in daylight; the battery is rated at only 230 shots, and a 1-inch Sony RX100 beats it on image quality.

Sensor
1/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS, 12.1 MP
Lens
24-120mm, f/1.8-5.7
Battery
NB-6LH, about 230 shots
Used price
$539 to $569 (Nov 2026)
Check used pricesWhat owners say

Built from 80 opinions from 18 pages and videos. Not yet tested by Camera Dojo. Updated .

Black Canon PowerShot S120 seen from the front, with its 5x zoom lens retracted and the wrist strap attached, on a white background
Photo: Poudou99, CC BY-SA 4.0

The short version

Launch reviews and owners point to the same strengths: twin control dials and a programmable lens ring, autofocus Imaging Resource found fast and decisive, even in relatively low light, a sharp touchscreen with tap-to-focus, and 1080p video Expert Reviews rated clearer than the Panasonic LX7's. Every opinion about size we collected is positive, and Cameralabs said it still fits most pockets, which sets it apart from most of its competition.

The weak points are just as consistent: battery life, noise above ISO 800, JPEG processing some owners find heavy-handed, and a 1/1.7-inch sensor that the 1-inch Sony RX100 beats on image quality. It is also not a CCD camera. If you want the CCD look of early digicams, the S models to look at are the S90 and the PowerShot S95.

Good fit if

  • You want raw files, manual control and a 24mm f/1.8 lens in a camera that fits a trouser pocket
  • You shoot casual 1080p video in good light and want to zoom while recording
  • You like touch focus and a lens ring you can set to stepped zoom or ISO
  • You are moving up from an S95 or S100: an owner of every S model since the S90 calls the S120 the most enjoyable to shoot, though Photography Blog saw little reason for S110 owners to upgrade
  • You want a small camera for Canon's WP-DC51 underwater case, rated to 40 m

Think twice if

  • You want the CCD rendering of early digicams: the S90 and S95 have it, the S120 does not
  • You need a full day of shooting on one battery without carrying a spare
  • You shoot mostly at night or indoors without flash, where one owner keeps ISO under 800 and another finds night shots very noisy
  • You want a viewfinder, a flip screen or a hot shoe
  • Price matters most: MPB listed the bigger PowerShot G16, with the same sensor and processor, from $299

Canon PowerShot S series: S90 to S200

The S120 is the fifth model in Canon's enthusiast pocket line that began with the S90 in 2009. All six models below use a 1/1.7-inch sensor; the S90, S95 and S200 have a CCD, the S100, S110 and S120 use CMOS. Used prices are MPB listings checked on November 2, 2026.

ModelYearSensorWhy look for it
PowerShot S9020091/1.7-inch CCD, 10.0 MPThe first of the line: a CCD sensor and a 28-105mm f/2.0-4.9 lens, for buyers after the early digicam look.
PowerShot S9520101/1.7-inch CCD, 10 MPThe same lens range plus 720p video; a Flickr owner calls it Canon's last CCD pocket model before the S100 moved to CMOS. An owner says it takes the same NB-6L battery type as the S120. MPB: $399 to $534. See the S95 page.
PowerShot S10020111/1.7-inch CMOS, 12.1 MPThe first CMOS model, with a 24-120mm f/2.0-5.9 lens, 1080p video and built-in GPS. MPB: $434 to $454. See the S100 page.
PowerShot S11020121/1.7-inch CMOS, 12.1 MPAdds Wi-Fi and a touchscreen, drops GPS, and keeps the f/2.0-5.9 lens and a 461k-dot screen. MPB: $439 (Good) and $494 (Excellent), plus one spares-and-repairs unit at $134.
PowerShot S12020131/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS, 12.1 MPThis camera: a brighter f/1.8-5.7 lens, DIGIC 6, 1080p at 60 fps and a 922k-dot touchscreen. MPB: $539 to $569.
PowerShot S20020141/1.7-inch CCD, 10 MPA later CCD model without raw shooting. Wikipedia says the bigger-sensor PowerShot G9 X (2015) is the camera that replaced the S120.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, flickr.com, mpb.com, mpb.com, mpb.com, mpb.com

What owners and reviewers say, topic by topic

We sorted 80 opinions about the PowerShot S120 from 18 pages and videos on 12 websites and channels. Each row shows how many people raised a topic and how many of them were positive. Open a row to read short quotes, each linked to its source.

Owner voices are thin: 25 of the 80 opinions come from owners, mostly in the Flickr S120 group and one Talk Photography thread, and the editorial reviews date from the 2013-2014 launch. Reddit, DPReview's forum and retailer reviews could not be checked word for word, so reliability rests on Canon's own service notice, one DPReview owner's lens error and repair reports for the S100 and S110.

  1. Ease of use71% positiveof 14

    The most praised topic: twin control dials, a programmable lens ring, fast autofocus and on-screen help suit beginners and enthusiasts alike. Two video reviewers say the flush rear dial is easy to press by accident, and one finds the lens ring stiff.

  2. Image look50% positiveof 12

    Mostly positive: reviewers found files crisp and colorful in good light, and owners coming from the S100 saw better color. The complaints are JPEG noise reduction heavier than on the S90 and S95, poor Auto exposure under overcast skies, and an S120 owner and an RX100 owner who found the Sony clearly better.

  3. Screen and viewfinder80% positiveof 10

    The 3-inch touchscreen and tap-to-focus win most opinions. Photography Blog found the screen calibration unimpressive and wanted a touch pen, a video reviewer misses a flip screen for filming yourself, and there is no viewfinder at all.

  4. Batteries and charging20% positiveof 10

    The clearest weak point: Imaging Resource drained it in under three hours of heavy use and owners charge daily or carry a spare. T3 counted about 300 shots, and one video reviewer likes that Canon includes a separate charger.

  5. Video88% positiveof 8

    Strong: reviewers call the 1080p footage sharp and clearer than the Panasonic LX7's, with the full zoom usable while recording. Cameralabs advises 60p only in bright light because dim-light clips get noisy, and notes that exposure and focus cannot be set by hand while recording.

  6. Size and weight100% positiveof 7

    All positive: every reviewer and owner who mentions size says it slips into a pocket, which Cameralabs says set it apart from most of its competition.

  7. Build quality80% positiveof 5

    Reviewers and an owner describe a solid metal and plastic body with a premium finish, made in Japan. The only reservation is the switch to rounded edges from the squarer earlier models.

  8. Memory cards and transfer40% positiveof 5

    Split. Imaging Resource rated the Wi-Fi as good as any it had tried and an owner likes the mini-USB and mini-HDMI ports, but owners found iPad pairing and phone geotagging unreliable, and Cameralabs calls the Wi-Fi basic but useful.

  9. Price and value20% positiveof 5

    Mixed. Photography Blog called the $449.99 launch price eye-watering and a forum member says it made little sense next to a Sony RX100, while T3 saw a sensible mid-priced option and a video reviewer called it strong value under $500.

  10. Low light and flash0% positiveof 4

    No outright praise here. Reviewers say high-ISO shots look fine at normal sizes but not cropped, an owner keeps ISO under 800, and a long-term owner still finds night shots very noisy; Photography Blog found the flash gave clean indoor exposures with some vignetting at 24mm.

PositiveMixedNegative

Canon PowerShot S120 vs Sony RX100: is the bigger sensor worth it?

Canon PowerShot S120 (2013)Sony RX100 II (2013)
Sensor1/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS, 12.1 MP1-inch, 20 MP, with 2.8 times the surface area
Lens24-120mm equivalent, f/1.8 at wide28-100mm equivalent, also f/1.8 at wide
ScreenFixed 3-inch touchscreenTilting screen
Hot shoeNoneYes
BodySlimmer and lighter: 29.0 mm deep, 217 g with battery and cardAlmost 1 cm thicker and almost 50% heavier
Wi-FiSharing and tagging photos only; charges in a wall chargerAdds basic smartphone remote control and USB charging
Launch price$449.99Over 50% more than the S120

Pick the Canon PowerShot S120 (2013) if

  • You want the camera to disappear into a trouser pocket
  • You use the long end: 120mm against 100mm
  • You like tapping the screen to focus and shoot

Pick the Sony RX100 II (2013) if

  • You shoot above ISO 400, where Cameralabs found the Sony's bigger sensor records more light with less noise
  • You want a tilting screen, a hot shoe or remote control from your phone
  • Image quality matters more than size: an S120 owner who moved to the RX100 III and an RX100 owner on Talk Photography both rate the Sony far better

Sources: cameralabs.com, talkphotography.co.uk, flickr.com, photographyblog.com, global.canon

Best settings for the Canon PowerShot S120

Collected from the launch reviews and from owners in the Flickr S120 group and on Talk Photography.

  1. 1

    Leave Auto for P or Av

    Raw only records in P, Tv, Av, M and the custom modes, so Auto and the scene modes give you JPEGs only. An owner in the Flickr S120 group adds that Auto blocks negative exposure compensation and can overexpose a bright sky.

  2. 2

    Shoot raw, or raise sharpening

    Photography Blog found JPEGs a little soft at the default sharpening and suggests raising it in camera or in editing. An owner who came from the S90 and S95 finds the S120's JPEG noise reduction heavier, another reason to shoot raw.

  3. 3

    Keep ISO at 800 or below

    Photography Blog saw clean files from ISO 80 to 800, some noise at 1600, and says ISO 12800 is worth avoiding. A Talk Photography owner keeps ISO under 800 so a slightly missed exposure still cleans up.

  4. 4

    Dial in a little minus compensation

    Pocket-lint says over-exposure is not uncommon. A Flickr owner suggests about -0.3 EV in Program or Av, plus bracketing and raw when the sky matters.

  5. 5

    Use the ND filter in bright light

    The built-in 3-stop ND filter lets you keep the aperture wide in sun. Photography Blog switches it on from the Function menu.

  6. 6

    Set up the lens ring

    One ring setting steps the zoom through 24, 28, 35, 50, 85, 100 and 120mm, and owners also put ISO on it. Imaging Resource found manual focus on the ring slow and mushy; owners pick manual focus through the macro button instead and use the focus peaking display.

  7. 7

    Tame the touchscreen and drive mode

    Touch Shutter is on by default, so a stray tap can fire the camera; switch it off in the main menu. Imaging Resource's reviewer ended up with a long run of accidental frames after leaving burst mode on, so check the drive setting after a burst.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, flickr.com, photographyblog.com, flickr.com, talkphotography.co.uk, pocket-lint.com, imaging-resource.com, flickr.com, cameralabs.com

Canon PowerShot S120 battery, charger and memory cards

The S120 runs on Canon's NB-6LH lithium-ion pack, and the box included one pack and a CB-2LY wall charger. Canon rates it at about 230 shots, or 300 in Eco mode. Imaging Resource's reviewer emptied one in under three hours of heavy use and Photography Blog's was back in the charger after one day, so plan on a spare.

There is no charging over USB: Cameralabs notes the S120 needs a mains charger, and a Talk Photography owner points out you have to take the battery out to charge it. B&H no longer sells Canon's own NB-6LH, so spares are third-party packs. An owner says the S120 takes the same NB-6L type as the S95; check that a pack is labeled NB-6L or NB-6LH before you buy.

The camera has no internal memory. It takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards and is UHS speed class 1 compatible, and Photography Blog says you need such a card to reach the full burst rate. Pulling the card is quicker than the cable: Imaging Resource measured 11,455 KB per second over the camera's USB 2.0 port.

Spares and cards at B&H, checked November 2, 2026
ItemPriceNote
Watson NB-6LH battery$19.95Third-party, 1100mAh
Jupio NB-6LH battery$23.95Third-party; same price at Adorama
Jupio two NB-6LH batteries and USB charger$47.95USB-powered charger
Canon CB-2LY charger$44.95The charger Canon put in the box
SanDisk Extreme PRO 64GB SDXC$36.99UHS-I, faster than the S120 needs
Sabrent USB-A and USB-C card reader$9.99UHS-I SD slot

For snorkeling or diving, Canon made the WP-DC51 case for the S120, rated to 40 m; Cameralabs notes the housings for earlier S models do not fit its thicker body.

Sources: photographyblog.com, imaging-resource.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com, talkphotography.co.uk, flickr.com, bhphotovideo.com, adorama.com, bhphotovideo.com, bhphotovideo.com

How to get a digicam look from the Canon PowerShot S120

S95

The S120 is not an early-2000s CCD camera. It uses a back-illuminated CMOS sensor; among the pocket S models from the S90 to the S200, the CCD ones are the S90, S95 and S200. If CCD rendering is the point, look at the PowerShot S95 instead.

It still leans toward a punchy snapshot look out of the box. Imaging Resource measured default colors about 15.2% oversaturated, pushing reds, greens, blues and purples moderately. The My Colors menu adds Positive Film, Vivid and Sepia, and the creative filters include Nostalgic, Toy Camera and Super Vivid, which one of the sample photos on this page uses.

For the on-camera flash look in our Y2K digicam guide, release the pop-up flash with the side switch and try 1:1 or 4:5 frames, two of the five aspect ratios. Slow-sync flash keeps room light in the frame: Imaging Resource's slow-sync test ran at 1/12 s and picked up a strong orange cast. Photography Blog found the flash gave clean exposures with no red-eye, with some vignetting at 24mm.

None of the reviews we read gives an S120 recipe for this look, so treat these menu settings as a starting point.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, flickr.com, imaging-resource.com, photographyblog.com, en.wikipedia.org, cameralabs.com

What to check before buying a used Canon PowerShot S120

MPB sells used S120s with a 6-month warranty. From a private seller, run these checks first.

  1. 1

    Read the serial number

    Canon's service notice covers S120s whose serial number has a 0 or 1 as the sixth digit from the left: they can show 'Charge the battery' or switch off with charge left. A marking inside the battery cover means the unit was already corrected, and Canon's free repair ended in 2019.

  2. 2

    Cycle the lens

    Switch on and off several times and zoom end to end, listening for grinding and watching for a lens error message. iFixit says the S100 and other models in the series are prone to lens errors, and a DPReview owner got the warning on an S120 after about four years.

  3. 3

    Watch the lens cover

    The cover blades should open fully and close flush every time. iFixit questions about the S100 and S110 describe blades that do not open or close completely.

  4. 4

    Shoot both ends of the zoom

    Take test shots at 24mm and 120mm and check all four corners. A DPReview poster who bought a used S120 on eBay in 2022 found no part of some frames truly sharp.

  5. 5

    Try every control

    Turn the rear dial and the lens ring through every click and tap the screen to focus. The only two S120 questions on iFixit concern a control dial and a DC coupler cover.

  6. 6

    Check what comes with it

    A spare battery is the accessory reviewers insist on. MPB's two S120 listings include a Canon NB-6LH battery and the CB-2LY charger.

Sources: usa.canon.com, ifixit.com, dpreview.com, ifixit.com, ifixit.com, ifixit.com, mpb.com

Canon S120 problems: battery, lens error and soft JPEGs

We found no failure rate for the S120; these problems come from Canon's own service notice, repair forums, owner posts and launch reviews, and some reports concern the S100 and S110.

Battery terminal contact fault (Canon service notice)

How you notice
'Charge the battery' appears straight away, the camera will not power on, or it switches off during use with charge left. Canon says it affects units whose serial number has a 0 or 1 as the sixth digit from the left.
Fix
Look for Canon's correction marking inside the battery cover. Canon's free inspection and repair ran until the end of 2019 and has ended, so test any copy with a charged battery before buying.
Typical cost
Free from Canon until the end of 2019. No current repair price was found.

Sources: usa.canon.com, usa.canon.com

Lens error: lens stuck out or in

How you notice
The lens will not extend or retract, the screen shows a lens error and the camera shuts down. iFixit says the S100 and other models in the series are prone to it, and one DPReview S120 owner hit it after about four years. Cover blades that do not open or close fully are a related warning sign.
Fix
Owners try pulling the battery, cycling the power and clearing grit from the barrel. The lasting fix is a new lens assembly; iFixit says assemblies are not interchangeable between models, so an S100 part will not fit.
Typical cost
No S120 repair quote from Canon or a US shop was found. For scale, iFixit puts the S100 lens assembly at about $35-50 on eBay.

Sources: ifixit.com, ifixit.com, ifixit.com, dpreview.com, flickr.com

Short battery life

Raised in 8 opinions

How you notice
Canon rates 230 shots, or 300 in Eco mode. Reviewers drained it in under three hours or one day of heavy use, and one owner reports about 50 shots per charge even in Eco mode.
Fix
Carry a charged spare NB-6LH and use Eco mode, which Canon rates at 300 shots.
Typical cost
$19.95 to $23.95 for a third-party NB-6LH at B&H, November 2, 2026

Sources: photographyblog.com, imaging-resource.com, talkphotography.co.uk, bhphotovideo.com

Soft JPEGs, heavy noise reduction and blown highlights

Raised in 3 opinions

How you notice
Photography Blog found JPEGs a little soft at default sharpening, an owner finds the noise reduction heavier than on the S90 and S95, Pocket-lint says over-exposure is not uncommon, and another owner finds Auto poor under overcast skies. Strong in-camera distortion correction also softens the corners at 24mm.
Fix
Shoot raw in P, Av, Tv or M, use a little minus exposure compensation in bright light, keep ISO at 800 or below and add sharpening. This is processing, not a fault, so no repair is needed.
Typical cost
None: settings only

Sources: photographyblog.com, pocket-lint.com, imaging-resource.com, dpreview.com

Soft frame on a used copy

How you notice
A DPReview poster who bought a used S120 on eBay in 2022 found no part of some frames truly sharp at 1/250 s and ISO 80. The thread found no confirmed cause.
Fix
No confirmed fix. Test both ends of the zoom before buying, and buy where returns are allowed.
Typical cost
Not found

Sources: dpreview.com, mpb.com

Photos taken with a Canon PowerShot S120

Photos Wikimedia Commons contributors took with a PowerShot S120 between 2014 and 2022; each file records the S120 as the camera.

What a Canon PowerShot S120 costs today

The S120 is long discontinued and B&H lists it as no longer available, so used is the only way to buy one. On November 2, 2026, MPB listed two used copies at $539 and $569. Both are above the $449.99 Canon asked at launch in 2013.

  • MPB

    Used, Like new, Body, Canon NB-6LH battery and CB-2LY charger; 6-month warranty

    $569

    See listing

  • MPB

    Used, Excellent, Same kit; 6-month warranty

    $539

    See listing

  • B&H Photo

    New, Listed as no longer available

    Not sold

    See listing

  • Canon (2013 launch)

    New, historical, US list price at launch

    $449.99

    See listing

Prices checked on November 2, 2026. They move every week, so treat them as a range, not a quote. MPB and B&H pages render with JavaScript, so their prices were read in a browser on November 2, 2026 rather than by script. eBay sold listings and KEH could not be read, so they are left out.

Video reviews worth your time

  • Canon PowerShot S120 Review

    Reviewed, 2014

    The Canon PowerShot S120 is an ultra-compact, feature-packed camera that offers strong image performance, customizable controls, and great value under $500.

    • 0:00 Introduction to the Canon PowerShot S120.
    • 0:41 Overview of the camera lens and sensor.
    • 1:10 Demonstration of physical controls and ring dial.
    • 1:25 Displaying touchscreen features and menu navigation.

  • Canon Powershot S120 First Impressions & 1080p HD Raw Video Test

    Justin Odisho, 2016

    The Canon PowerShot S120 is a pocket-friendly point-and-shoot camera offering impressive video quality, though its fixed screen can make self-recording less convenient.

    • 0:01 Introduction to the Canon PowerShot S120 camera.
    • 0:31 Showing the camera attached to a flexible mini tripod.
    • 0:55 Reviewer discusses the fixed screen while testing focus.
    • 1:41 Sample video test footage filmed on the camera.

  • Canon PowerShot S120 : Review

    GdgtCompare.com, 2014

    The Canon PowerShot S120 is a compact camera delivering solid photo and video performance, though its battery life is limited.

    • 0:25 Close-up look at the extended lens and camera body.
    • 0:46 Demonstration of slipping the camera into a back pocket.
    • 1:44 Testing the touchscreen menu options and settings.
    • 2:24 Opening the battery and memory card compartment.

  • Canon Powershot S120 hands on preview

    Camerahoarders, 2014

    The Canon PowerShot S120 is a highly portable compact camera featuring a high-resolution touchscreen and a versatile lens control ring, though its rear dial is somewhat prone to accidental presses.

    • 0:01 Introduction to the Canon PowerShot S120 camera overview.
    • 0:58 Demonstration of camera dimensions, pop-up flash, and top dials.
    • 1:42 Overview and demonstration of touchscreen capabilities and rear buttons.
    • 2:50 Inspection of side ports, battery compartment, and SD slot.

  • Canon PowerShot S120 First Impressions

    andre vautour, 2014

    The Canon PowerShot S120 offers a compact build with solid features, though minor design tweaks and lens ring resistance may not appeal to everyone.

    • 00:23 Reviewing the physical design and rounded edges of the camera body.
    • 03:53 Demonstrating the pop-up flash mechanism on the left side.
    • 05:38 Showing the bottom plate with the Made in Japan label.
    • 07:31 Displaying the included standalone Canon battery charger.

Questions people ask about the PowerShot S120

Is the Canon S120 worth it as a take-anywhere pocket camera?

For a camera that disappears into a pocket and still shoots raw with manual control, owners and reviewers say yes. The catch is price: MPB listed used copies at $539 and $569 on November 2, 2026, more than the $449.99 launch price. In a 2015 Talk Photography thread, several posters said the Sony RX100 had clearly better image quality for a little more money.

Sources: talkphotography.co.uk, mpb.com, photographyblog.com

Is the S120 better than the Sony RX100?

On image quality, no. Cameralabs found the S120 close to the RX100 II in good light at low ISO, but above ISO 400 the Sony's 1-inch sensor, with 2.8 times the area, records more light with less noise, and owners who tried both agree. The S120 is slimmer and lighter, zooms to 120mm instead of 100mm and has a touchscreen.

Sources: cameralabs.com, talkphotography.co.uk

Is the Canon PowerShot S120 good for filming?

For casual clips, yes. It records 1080p at 60 or 30 fps, Expert Reviews rated the footage clearer than the Panasonic LX7's, and you can use the full zoom while recording. Cameralabs recommends 60p only in bright light and notes that exposure and focus cannot be set by hand in movies; the screen does not flip, and clips stop at 4GB or 29 minutes 59 seconds.

Sources: expertreviews.co.uk, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com, imaging-resource.com, t3.com

How long does the Canon S120 battery last?

Canon rates the NB-6LH at about 230 shots, or 300 in Eco mode. Real use varies: T3 counted about 300, Imaging Resource's reviewer emptied it in under three hours of heavy use, and one Flickr owner gets about 50 shots in Eco mode. Most reviewers say to buy a spare; third-party NB-6LH packs cost $19.95 to $23.95 at B&H.

Sources: photographyblog.com, t3.com, imaging-resource.com, flickr.com, bhphotovideo.com

Why are my Canon PowerShot S120 photos blurry?

Some softness is the processing: Photography Blog found JPEGs a little soft at default sharpening, owners find the noise reduction heavy, and distortion correction softens the corners at 24mm. Raise in-camera sharpening or shoot raw, keep ISO at 800 or below, and for daylight scenes try about f/4 to f/5.6, as one owner does. If shots stay soft at both ends of the zoom, the lens itself may be the problem.

Sources: photographyblog.com, imaging-resource.com, flickr.com, flickr.com

Which Canon PowerShot is better, the S120 or the G7 X?

The [PowerShot G7 X](/cameras/canon-powershot-g7-x/) has a 1-inch 20 MP sensor and a 24-100mm lens, the same sensor class as the RX100 that Cameralabs and owners rate above the S120 for image quality. The S120 is lighter (217 g against 304 g), owners in the Flickr S120 group call the G7 X less pocketable with weaker battery life, and it costs far less used: MPB listed G7 X bodies at $899 to $1,089. More options are in our [Canon G7X alternatives](/digicams/canon-g7x-alternatives/) guide.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, flickr.com, mpb.com

Can the S120 touchscreen be turned off?

Yes. Touch focus and shoot is on by default, and Photography Blog says to switch the Touch Shutter option off in the main menu. An owner in the Flickr S120 group adds that the focus box can also be moved with the rear directional buttons instead of tapping the screen.

Sources: photographyblog.com, flickr.com

Can you control the S120 from a smartphone over Wi-Fi?

No. The S120's Wi-Fi covers sending, viewing and tagging photos through a phone, and Cameralabs lists the lack of remote control as a downside. Owners also found phone geotagging and iPad pairing unreliable. Canon's 2013 setup used its free CameraWindow app, so check current app support before you count on it.

Sources: cameralabs.com, flickr.com, photographyblog.com

What people compare it with

  • Canon PowerShot S95

    The 2010 model with a 10 MP CCD and a 28-105mm f/2.0-4.9 lens, the pick if you want the CCD look in the same pocket size. MPB asked $399 to $534 on November 2, 2026.

  • Canon PowerShot G16

    The same 12 MP BSI-CMOS sensor and DIGIC 6 with a brighter 28-140mm f/1.8-2.8 lens and an optical viewfinder, in a bigger 356 g body. MPB listed it from $299 to $554.

  • Sony RX100

    A 1-inch sensor in a pocket body. Owners and Cameralabs rate its image quality clearly higher above ISO 400, while the Canon is slimmer, lighter and zooms further.

  • Canon PowerShot G7 X

    Canon's 2014 step up: a 1-inch 20 MP sensor and a 24-100mm lens in a 304 g body, for $899 to $1,089 used at MPB.

Every source behind this page

Read them yourself. How we pick and count them is in our methodology.

Show all 41 sources

Manuals and references 23

Forums 8

Editorial reviews 5

Video reviews 5

  • Digicams

    Canon PowerShot S100

    Canon PowerShot S100 (2011): what reviewers and owners say, the lens error and battery problems, best settings, and used prices of $434 to $454 in October 2026.

  • Digicams

    Canon PowerShot S95

    Canon PowerShot S95 (2010): what owners and reviewers say, the lens error and battery issues to check, best settings, and used prices of $399 to $534.

  • Digicams

    Sony RX100 series (RX100 to RX100 VII)

    Sony RX100 I to VII: what owners and reviewers say, which model to buy, lens errors to check, battery tips, and prices from $455 certified used to $1,498 new.

  • Digicams

    Canon PowerShot G7 X

    Canon PowerShot G7 X (2014): what reviewers and owners say, the faults to check, best settings, and used eBay asks of $629.99 to $794.99 in November 2026.

  • Digicams

    The Best Vintage Digital Cameras in 2026: 7 Digicams Worth Buying

    The best vintage digital camera for most people is a Canon ELPH like the SD1000, $199 at a shop that tests. 7 digicam picks, US prices and what to check.

  • Digicams

    What Is a Digicam? Old Digital Cameras, Prices and Digicam vs iPhone

    A digicam is a digital camera, but today the word means a 2000s compact point-and-shoot. Why they're back, US prices and how a digicam compares with an iPhone.