Camera Test: Sony WX1 and Canon Ixus 120 IS - evolution vs revolution

This time, we're pitching evolution against revolution.  In one corner, the Ixus 120 IS from Canon, a simple evolution of the 100 IS, which arrived in spring--but which comes with a major addition: a 28 mm wide-angle lens.  In the other corner, the Cyber-Shot WX1 from Sony, which is the first compact to benefit from a new-generation sensor which also has new electronics and a thoroughly revised lens system.

The Canon Ixus 120 IS is a tiny, ultra-compact camera, with a 12 Megapixel CCD sensor and the same circuitry as its predecessor, the Ixus 100 IS.  The only real new features is the zoom which now extends to 4x--and, even better, has a wide-angle, adding a lot of extra capabilities to this camera.

The Sony Cyber-Shot WX1 has a more classic appearance, but is more innovative on the inside.  The 5x zoom wide-angle zoom was produced by a team that used to work for Minolta, and the new Exmor R sensor should provide some great improvement in sensitivity.

> Test: Canon Ixus 120 IS
> Test: Sony Cyber-Shot WX1

> Product Survey: Compact Digital Cameras 2009