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Introduction
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01.Product Tour
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02.Color
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03.Noise
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04.Resolution
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05.Video
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06.Sample Photos
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07.Playback
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08.Hardware
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09.Controls
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10.Design & Handling
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11.Kodak Z950 Comparison
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12.Nikon L100 Comparison
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13.Panasonic ZS3 Comparison
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14.Conclusion
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15.Photo Gallery
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16.Comments
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS
Previous: Page 2
ColorNext: Page 4
ResolutionNoise
Noise is low at low ISO settings, but significant at higher ones.
Noise (10.37)
Noise is the bane of the photographers life. It’s the stuff that creeps into pictures and causes a speckled, grainy appearance in images, especially those shot in low light. We test noise by taking photos of a color chart at every ISO level that the camera offers, and measuring the amount of noise in the images. We found that the noise in the photos taken by the SX120 was generally low, but it was definitely noticeable at the higher ISO settings. The graph below shows the noise (as a percentage of the total signal forming the image) against the ISO at two light levels: 3000 lux (about the same as bright sunlight) and 60 lux (indoor lighting). Although both light levels had the same pattern of noise, there was slightly more at the 3000 lux level. Presumably the camera is introducing some other form of noise reduction at the higher ISO levels at 60 lux for the longer shutter speeds that are required. More on how we test noise.
If we look at the noise level of the SX120 compared to other cameras, we can see that it competes well with the others. The Kodak Z950 has slightly lower noise overall, but the Canon has good low noise overall, and has lower high ISO noise than the Panasonic ZS3.
| Noise Comparisons | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 80 | ISO 400 | ISO 800 | ISO 1600 | |
| 60 Lux |  |
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| 3000 Lux |  |
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ISO (5.00)
The SX120 has an ISO range of 80 up to 1600, with stops on the way at 100, 200, 400 and 800. That’s a pretty typical range for a high-end point and shoot camera, and gives enough flexibility to shoot in all situations from bright daylight to indoors. What is missing is the higher ISO settings that some cameras offer by lowering the resolution of the images. As you can see from the examples below, the Canon has quite a lot of noise at the higher ISO settings, but the noise is a lot softer than the Panasonic.
| ISO Comparisons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Kodak EasyShare Z950 | Nikon Coolpix L100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
| ISO Low | |||
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ISO 80
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ISO 100
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ISO 80
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ISO 80
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| Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Kodak EasyShare Z950 | Nikon Coolpix L100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
| ISO 200 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Kodak EasyShare Z950 | Nikon Coolpix L100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
| ISO 400 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Kodak EasyShare Z950 | Nikon Coolpix L100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
| ISO 800 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Kodak EasyShare Z950 | Nikon Coolpix L100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
| ISO 1600 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Kodak EasyShare Z950 | Nikon Coolpix L100 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
NOTE: The images above are not used in our testing or scoring, but are included here to show real-world examples of the differences between cameras at the various ISO settings.
Shop for the Canon SX120 IS
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