Anyone using the S120?

I have been looking up a cheap (~$200 USD) capable compact for every day use. As I am primarily a M4/3, Panasonic guy, I was looking at the various ZS compacts. The ZS100 is available for a good price these days but I honestly don't need all the features it comes with so I was looking at cheaper options. There are lesser ZS models but when I was scoping out sensor scores on DXOMark, I saw that the non 1" scores are about half of the the 1" sensor. They have good features but I found the photos to be lacking (based on when I owned a ZS50).

While checking out the DXOMark database, I came across the S120. I know it's older, but it seems to be about what I'm looking for: Pocketable, able to shoot RAW and can take some nice pictures. I've seen it be acquired for a pretty cheap price on used sites and ebay. I was wondering if anyone here is still using this camera and if they enjoy it. I wouldn't be using it for critical applications; I have two cameras for that. I just miss having a pocketable camera on me all the time.

Let me know your thoughts on this or if I would be better suited saving for something like a G9X or something. I've owned various Canon compacts before and they generally deliver so I'm starting here. Thanks for any advice!

I have an S 95 ( great grandfather to the s120), and a zs100. The ZS has a much better focus system, and all around performance, although it's a bit larger and the lens is soft under certain conditions. I like the ZS manual control setup better than the s95. The zs also has awesome video performance, although I know the video had improved considerably on the s120.

That being said, the s95 is a really fun camera to use. I recently acquired one from a forum member here, and I really love it. It's small, it has great Canon colors, and even though mine's older than the one you're looking at, it still takes great pictures. it does make you slow down a little bit, and really consider the shot you're taking, because the 1/1.7" sensor doesn't have the dynamic range of newer cameras.  If you don't mind losing some of the modern-day autofocus performance and speed of operation, and don't blow up every one of your pictures to 150% and look at each pixel in the corner for distortion, I think you would be very happy with s120. Also , if you have ginormous hands, you may find the S series cameras a little bit small to use and operate.

I haven't printed any larger than 13 x 19", but I have no issue there.

Since I've gotten the s95 several months ago, I've probably taken 80% of my shots with it. It also made me realize I don't need all the features that many of my other cameras have. And I feel like when I get a great picture from the camera I've earned it a little bit more that I have with my more modern 1", or m43 cameras.

In this case with the S 95, I would say less is more.

I loved the S series. BUT if I could find an RX100 (original) on Ebay etc. used and in great condition I would go that route. I also liked the G15 but it is larger than the S120 but great fun to shoot with.  I know this is the Canon forum but the original Sony RX100 is what took me away from the S series. The prices for the first one have come way down and I have seen many under $200 on Ebay.  Really nice IQ and the "line" is still going strong.

Good luck on your choice!

I have been looking up a cheap (~$200 USD) capable compact for every day use.... I came across the S120. I know it's older, but it seems to be about what I'm looking for: Pocketable, able to shoot RAW and can take some nice pictures.... I was wondering if anyone here is still using this camera and if they enjoy it. I wouldn't be using it for critical applications; I have two cameras for that. I just miss having a pocketable camera on me all the time.

Let me know your thoughts on this or if I would be better suited saving for something like a G9X or something.

I have, use, and like the previous model, the S110. I like it for the applications you mention: a pocketable, inexpensive, raw-capable camera with good enough image quality for casual, travel / vacation type pictures for prints up to 8x10 inches or so, depending on your standards. (I also have an older S95; more on the series below.)

The original Sony RX100 was introduced before both the S110 and S120, and in most ways it is a better camera than either (I've used one). However, the Canons (1) have usefully-wider lenses (24mm equivalent instead of 28mm equivalent), (2) have a touch-screen, which I and others find useful for specifying the focus point, and (3) are significantly cheaper as of today for comparable-condition used cameras.

I can't tell you whether you'd prefer an original RX100, and if so, whether you'd prefer it by enough to justify the extra cost.

And last and least, this Canon range (omitting the S90 and older, which are now more than a decade old):

S95: CCD sensor, 28-105mm equivalent f/2-4.9 lens (have one, my lens seems to have some alignment issue or something)

S100: CMOS sensor, first 24-120mm equivalent f/2-5.9 lens, many reports of lens performance / QC issues

S110: basically an S100 with the lens QC issues solved (have it, like it)

S120: BSI-CMOS sensor, 24-120mm equivalent f/1.8-5.7 lens

I love the S120.   I downsized from a 50D  to the SL1 and then downsized to the M50 tring to find a compact solution with good IQ fpr backpacking and landscape photos.  I also had a G16 at until recently.   I ended up selling  my SL1 and my G16.  the G16 is a great camera but not poctetable.  So with that in mind I started looking around for something small and light and really didnt find anything that I was excited about. well unless I was willing to spend a grand.  So I decided I would find a S120 which I did here recently on offerup.  paid $100.00 for a very lightly used camera.  It has the same great image quality as the G16 and if fits in my pocket which is what I was wanting.  I love the M50 and will keep it, but it is not all that small when you strap a lens on.

Long story short.... the S120 is still a great kick around and or backpacking camera with a sharp fast lens, and available at some great prices.

Great camera but u can get a camera with 1” sensor for not that much more. If u really want dirt cheap the s120 is a good option at around $100-$120.

Where can you buy a good-condition S120 from a reputable seller for $100 to $120? It looks to me like the going price is more like $200 to $250.

But if u want an upgrade in IQ, lens, etc go for one of the 1” sensor models.

That is true, but e.g. the original RX100--AFAIK the first 1" sensor compact with a zoom lens--goes for about $275 to $300 used but in good condition from reputable sellers. And that camera does have the zoom range of the S120 (28-100mm equivalent instead of 24-120mm equivalent) or have a touch screen.

If you can link to a reputable seller offering a camera with a 1" sensor in good condition for "not that much more" than "$100-$120", I'll probably buy it tonight. But AFAIK the options are really more like an S110 for $150, an S120 for $200, an original RX100 for $275, and anything else for more than that.

Keh is about $135 when in stock.

No, not for an S120, or at least not one in good condition. KEH does not have an S120 in stock, but just now they have some S100 cameras--two generations older--for $111 to $138. They tend to list S110s for about $175. The tend to want > $200 for an S120.

Local Craigslist is about $100-$120 when they come up.

I have never seen an S120 on my local Craigslist, even though I check the photo / video section daily and I live in a metropolitan area of more than a million people.

Try other used sites such as b and h used

B&H does currently have a used S120, but for $280.

Adorama used

Adorama does not currently have a used S120.

Not sure about recommending eBay as it’s risky in terms of time spent on possible lemon but not risky on $ lost imo.

I've searched eBay many times for an S120. A good-condition one from a reputable seller is $200+.

So I remain of the view that you aren't going to get a good-condition S120 from a reputable seller for anything like $100 to $120.

re rx100 I had rx100 iii and didn’t like it. Image quality is great but user interface was not. I replaced with a g7xii. G7xii used is about $325 or a little less as I recall.

That's not "not that much more" than "$100-$120" now, is it? Currently KEH has an original G7X (not a G7X II) in their "bargain" condition (usually fine, in my experience), for $320. But that's considerably more money (and not as pocketable).

Contrarian really is a fitting name.

Fair enough. I have my faults, but lack of self-awareness is not a major one. FWIW, my approach to DPR is that providing helpful, accurate information is most important--but it's also important to say so where I think inaccurate information was provided.

And there is a personal-to-me interest here: the search for the elusive pocketable, high-quality, inexpensive camera. My current S110 is fairly satisfactory. The S120 has some worthwhile upgrades, but I have a hard time pulling the trigger at current prices. The G9X and G7X at least often have soft lenses. The Sony RX100 series are all a bit thick for good pocketability, did not get a 24mm equivalent lens until the Mk. III, and did not get a touchscreen until the Mk. VI, which puts all of those, even used, into a different price category.

I think my s95, and xz1 have the best colors out of any of my enthusiast cameras. The old ccd sensors really did a great job with color, if lacking a little bit in outright resolution compared to the newer 1" cameras I have.

And, you can't beat the pocketability of the S series.

I have a g7x, the colors aren't as good and  the lens is soft. I also have an RX 100m6, which I think isn't quite as good with the colors but better than the older Sony rx's. On paper, both are better cameras, but I don't like using them as much as the s95.

But for most of my photography the s-95 does just fine. If I'm printing larger than 13x19 I'll use one of my newer cameras. If I'm shooting sports, or in low light, it's obviously not my first choice.

I hope you find one in your price range.

After seeing this thread, I fired up my S120 that I've not used in several years and spent a little time taking various snaps, first in my yard, then at a local library event.

The S120 is a great camera, especially at today's used prices when they can sometimes be found for very little. Sharp, pocketble and decent IQ from a small sensor. I have several photos in my gallery if you'd like to see some more samples. The S120 shots are mostly the older ones.....