G16 vs S120

It could well be that the bigger lens of the G16 makes it take sharper images. It could also be that the G16 is sharper at specific focal lengths but the S120 is sharper at other focal lengths. Also the aperture could be of influence. Using a smaller aperture (bigger number) could result in sharper images. (If I take a macro shot with my G9X II at 10mm and F2.0 it results in slightly blurry images if I change the aperture to F4.0 the images are very sharp).

To really compare the sharpness of two camera’s you should take a picture at every focal length with every possible aperture with a subject at every possible distance. (because also distance can have an influence on the sharpness of the picture.) Or actually several pictures to rule out any focus errors. What you know then is which of the two camera’s you have is sharper at which focal length with which aperture at which distance. But that’s only for those two camera’s because due to sample variation other cameras of the same brand and type can perform differently.

(there are even more thinks that could influence the sharpness of a specific camera that I have skipped to keep my reaction readable)

But then you still don’t know which of these two camera’s will give you the sharpest images. Because it may well be that the G15 is generally sharper, but the S120 could be sharper at the combinations of focal lengths, apertures and distances you use most.

What I would do is take a few comparison shots of thinks you usually photograph. If the difference in sharpness is not easy to see or if you find the sharpness or both camera’s acceptable. I would not use sharpness as argument to choose one camera over the other.

If I had to choose between these cameras it would choose the S120 without hesitation. Simply because it is smaller and lighter.

Hope this helps,

Michiel

“ Gear simply doesn’t matter. If people ask me which camera they should buy, I always say buy the cool one” Mattias Burling

thanks, I like both of them in different ways. Haven't used either that much as normally shoot with a dSLR.

The S120 is diminutive but with nice controls (that front ring around the lens is brilliant). I found it good to take on a trip recently where I really needed to travel light. I was very pleasantly surprised at opportunistic images I got using its macro mode of an orb spider.

The lens is better and faster on the G series cameras.

GeraldW wrote:

Peter,

I used a G15 and an S95 for years and years. Conceptually, pretty close to the G16, and not quite as close to the S120. I always favored the S cameras for their pocketability, and surprisingly, their better color rendition for sunsets, flowers, & fall colors. However, their "used-bar-of-soap" shape made then hard to grip safely, and I used several kinds of stick-on grips on the front to get a better hold on them.

Some years ago, an Aussie named Marco Nero did some beautiful work with S series models; but did not like the results from his S120 and I believe he reverted to an S110.

I still have the G15 and S95; but seldom use either one, as I moved to a G7X II several years ago and generally prefer that for it's color rendition after tweaking the settings, its built in grip, and much larger 20 MP sensor. And for most subjects, its 1.6x multiplier mode gives an equivalent 160 mm focal length at 8 MP with good quality.

thanks. It may be that I will sell  both the G16 and S120 and replace with G7 Xii for that 1 inch sensor. On the long end, that probably isn't the main reason I want a small camera

minor thoughts - I thought I would really like the form factor of the G16 but I have found its control layout less intuitive (& a bit contortive too) than the S120. As I said earlier, that front ring around the lens is such a great tool.

GeraldW wrote:

I suppose the comparison for me is the S95 vs the G7X II. The benefits of the G7X II are the built in front grip, the larger sensor, and more sophisticated menu adjustments. Color is also noticeably better than the predecessor G7X. And since I hardly ever used the G15's hot shoe, that feature did not figure in. The benefits to the S95 were it's small size and even easier pocketability, and excellent color rendition. That vintage of S series cameras had fewer built in corrections; but Canon's engineers had done their part well and gave it an excellent lens and color rendition.

The drawback to the S90 & S95 was the lack of a front grip of any kind, giving it a "used bar of soap" sort of handling. I purchased the beautifully contoured Franiec machined aluminum grip and that solved the handling issue. That grip started out on the S90, and was successfully unstuck from the S90 and transferred to the S95, where it still lives.

I certainly like the handling of the S120 but it is that awkward shape because it is small. But it is also great because it is tousers pocket small too.

Peter in Canberra wrote:

posting this quickly, if time allows I'll post some comparison images

I have both these cameras acquired used.
Both have 1/1.7in sensors.
Haven't used either of them that much but playing around with comparisons seems that the G16 may produce sharper images? If what I am seeing is real, would this be down to the bigger lens?
I like both cameras. I wish the G16 had the front control ring around the lens like the S120 (and a bunch of other Canon compacts).
Anyone else done such a comparison?
cheers Peter

(I was revisiting them also following contemplating a 1in sensor camera like the G9 X or G7 X)

At the longer end, you will definitely be getting less diffraction from the G series cameras compared to the S series (assuming you are using the G at close to maximum aperture). On a 1/1.7" sensor, you get significant diffraction from around f/3.5 and smaller. The S-series cameras tend to reach this around 60mm equivalent. So you would expect the G series to be a tad sharper at the longer end of the zoom.

Beyond that, from what I've seen, they tend to be pretty closely matched in sharpness. I suspect the Gs have slightly better corners generally and are a bit more contrasty. But yes, any differences are likely due to optics, and it would make sense that the S series are slightly more compromised due to the tiny size. Still very good for pocket cameras though.

GeraldW wrote:

Thank you, Sue Anne,

One of my favorite shots regardless of the camera. On the ship, one evening; before the main show, they showed passenger taken photos on a large screen in the main show lounge. This shot filled that huge screen with no sign of grain. So who says 10 MP isn't enough?

yes, great photograph

Sue Anne Rush wrote:

Beautiful photograph of the spider.

many thanks.