Canon SX510 vs Fujifilm XP120

The Canon PowerShot SX510 HS and the Fujifilm FinePix XP120 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in August 2013 and January 2017. Both the SX510 and the XP120 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 15.9 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon SX510		Fujifilm XP120
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
24-720mm f/3.4-5.8		28-140mm f/3.9-4.9
15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor		15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
1080/24p Video		1080/60p Video
ISO 80-3,200		ISO 100-3,200
No viewfinder, LCD framing		No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 461k dots		3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3.8 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
Lens-based stabilization		In-body stabilization
not weather sealed		Waterproof body (20m)
250 shots per battery charge		210 shots per battery charge
104 x 70 x 80 mm, 349 g		110 x 71 x 28 mm, 203 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS and the Fujifilm FinePix XP120? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon SX510 and the Fujifilm XP120. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The XP120 can be obtained in three different colors (blue, yellow, green), while the SX510 is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Fujifilm XP120 is notably larger (7 percent) than the Canon SX510. However, the XP120 is substantially lighter (42 percent) than the SX510. It is noteworthy in this context that the XP120 is splash and dust-proof, while the SX510 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing. More than that, the XP120 is water-proof up to 20m and can, thus, be used for underwater photography.

Concerning battery life, the SX510 gets 250 shots out of its Canon NB-6LH battery, while the XP120 can take 210 images on a single charge of its Fujifilm NP-45S power pack. The power pack in the XP120 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

#		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon SX510	104 mm	70 mm	80 mm	349 g	250	n	Aug 2013	249	ebay.com
2.		Fujifilm XP120	110 mm	71 mm	28 mm	203 g	210	Y	Jan 2017	229	ebay.com
3.		Canon SX420	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	325 g	195	n	Jan 2016	299	ebay.com
4.		Canon SX520	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	441 g	210	n	Jul 2014	399	ebay.com
5.		Canon SX700	113 mm	66 mm	35 mm	269 g	250	n	Feb 2014	349	ebay.com
6.		Canon SX600	104 mm	61 mm	26 mm	188 g	290	n	Jan 2014	249	ebay.com
7.		Canon SX400	104 mm	69 mm	80 mm	313 g	190	n	Jul 2014	249	ebay.com
8.		Canon SX500	104 mm	70 mm	80 mm	341 g	195	n	Aug 2012	329	ebay.com
9.		Canon G15	107 mm	76 mm	40 mm	352 g	350	n	Sep 2012	499	ebay.com
10.		Canon M	109 mm	66 mm	32 mm	298 g	230	n	Jul 2012	599	ebay.com
11.		Fujifilm XP140	110 mm	71 mm	28 mm	207 g	240	Y	Feb 2019	229	ebay.com
12.		Fujifilm XP130	110 mm	71 mm	28 mm	207 g	240	Y	Jan 2018	229	ebay.com
13.		Leica X2	124 mm	69 mm	52 mm	345 g	450	n	May 2012	1,995	ebay.com
14.		Nikon W300	112 mm	66 mm	29 mm	231 g	280	Y	May 2017	389	ebay.com
15.		Olympus TG-4	112 mm	66 mm	31 mm	247 g	380	Y	Apr 2015	379	ebay.com
16.		Ricoh WG-60	123 mm	62 mm	30 mm	193 g	300	Y	Oct 2018	279	ebay.com
17.		Sony H200	123 mm	83 mm	87 mm	530 g	240	n	Jan 2013	249	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The XP120 was somewhat cheaper (by 8 percent) than the SX510 at launch, but both cameras fall into the same price category. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 15.9 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the SX510 and the XP120 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the XP120 is much more recent (by 3 years and 4 months) than the SX510, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The Canon PowerShot SX510 HS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Fujifilm FinePix XP120 are ISO 100 to ISO 3200 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the SX510 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the XP120 uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

#		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon SX510	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/24p	20.0	11.3	586	45
2.		Fujifilm XP120	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	20.5	11.9	900	49
3.		Canon SX420	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/25p	20.3	11.7	806	48
4.		Canon SX520	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.1	11.5	672	46
5.		Canon SX700	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	20.1	11.4	629	45
6.		Canon SX600	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.0	11.4	620	45
7.		Canon SX400	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	720/30p	20.1	11.5	672	46
8.		Canon SX500	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	720/30p	19.8	11.1	494	43
9.		Canon G15	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/24p	19.9	11.5	165	46
10.		Canon M	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.1	11.2	827	65
11.		Fujifilm XP140	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/15p	20.7	12.2	1102	52
12.		Fujifilm XP130	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	20.6	12.1	1000	51
13.		Leica X2	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	none	23.2	12.4	1275	74
14.		Nikon W300	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	20.5	12.0	938	50
15.		Olympus TG-4	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.2	11.6	737	47
16.		Ricoh WG-60	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	20.6	12.2	1072	51
17.		Sony H200	1/2.3	15.2	5184	2930	720/30p	19.9	11.2	529	44
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the XP120 provides a faster frame rate than the SX510. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the Canon is limited to 1080/24p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The SX510 and the XP120 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon SX510 and Fujifilm XP120 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

#		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon SX510	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/1600s	3.8/s	Y	Y
2.		Fujifilm XP120	none	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
3.		Canon SX420	none	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	0.5/s	Y	Y
4.		Canon SX520	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	1.6/s	Y	Y
5.		Canon SX700	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/3200s	8.5/s	Y	Y
6.		Canon SX600	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	3.9/s	Y	Y
7.		Canon SX400	none	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/1600s	0.8/s	Y	Y
8.		Canon SX500	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/1600s	0.8/s	Y	Y
9.		Canon G15	optical	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.1/s	Y	Y
10.		Canon M	none	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.3/s	n	n
11.		Fujifilm XP140	none	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
12.		Fujifilm XP130	none	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
13.		Leica X2	optional	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.0/s	Y	n
14.		Nikon W300	none	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.0/s	Y	Y
15.		Olympus TG-4	none	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.0/s	Y	Y
16.		Ricoh WG-60	none	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0/s	Y	n
17.		Sony H200	none	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/1500s	0.8/s	Y	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The Fujifilm XP120 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Both the SX510 and the XP120 have zoom lenses built in. The SX510 has a 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8 optic and the XP120 offers a 28-140mm f/3.9-4.9 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Canon provides a wider angle of view at the short end, as well as more tele-photo reach at the long end than the Fujifilm. The SX510 offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the SX510 and the XP120 write their files to SDXC cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS and Fujifilm FinePix XP120 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

#		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon SX510	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
2.		Fujifilm XP120	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
3.		Canon SX420	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	2.0	Y	Y	-
4.		Canon SX520	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Canon SX700	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
6.		Canon SX600	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
7.		Canon SX400	-	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Canon SX500	-	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Canon G15	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Canon M	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Fujifilm XP140	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
12.		Fujifilm XP130	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
13.		Leica X2	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Nikon W300	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
15.		Olympus TG-4	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
16.		Ricoh WG-60	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Sony H200	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-

Both the SX510 and the XP120 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The SX510 was replaced by the Canon SX520, while the XP120 was followed by the Fujifilm XP130. Further information on the features and operation of the SX510 and XP120 can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX510 Manual (free pdf) or the online Fujifilm XP120 Manual.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon SX510 and the Fujifilm XP120? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Canon PowerShot SX510 HS:

• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/3.4 vs f/3.9).
• Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
• More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (250 versus 210) on a single battery charge.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 2013).

Arguments in favor of the Fujifilm FinePix XP120:

• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/24p).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 461k dots).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/2000s vs 1/1600s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 3.8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 146g or 42 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Water-proof: Is rugged and sealed and can thus be used for underwater photography (up to 20m).
• More modern: Reflects 3 years and 4 months of technical progress since the SX510 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the XP120 is the clear winner of the contest (10 : 5 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX510 and the Fujifilm XP120 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera and Best Travel-Zoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the SX510 or the XP120. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

#		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon SX510	..	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2013	249	ebay.com
2.		Fujifilm XP120	..	o	..	..	3.5/5	4/5	Jan 2017	229	ebay.com
3.		Canon SX420	..	..	..	..	..	3/5	Jan 2016	299	ebay.com
4.		Canon SX520	..	+	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Jul 2014	399	ebay.com
5.		Canon SX700	..	+ +	..	..	4/5	4/5	Feb 2014	349	ebay.com
6.		Canon SX600	..	+	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jan 2014	249	ebay.com
7.		Canon SX400	..	+	..	..	..	..	Jul 2014	249	ebay.com
8.		Canon SX500	..	+ +	..	..	4/5	4/5	Aug 2012	329	ebay.com
9.		Canon G15	4/5	+	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	499	ebay.com
10.		Canon M	3/5	+	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jul 2012	599	ebay.com
11.		Fujifilm XP140	..	+	..	..	3.5/5	4/5	Feb 2019	229	ebay.com
12.		Fujifilm XP130	..	o	..	..	3.5/5	4/5	Jan 2018	229	ebay.com
13.		Leica X2	3/5	..	..	..	3/5	4/5	May 2012	1,995	ebay.com
14.		Nikon W300	..	+	..	..	4/5	4/5	May 2017	389	ebay.com
15.		Olympus TG-4	..	+	..	79/100	4/5	4/5	Apr 2015	379	ebay.com
16.		Ricoh WG-60	..	..	..	..	..	..	Oct 2018	279	ebay.com
17.		Sony H200	..	..	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Jan 2013	249	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Check XP120 offers at
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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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