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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SD1200 IS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon ELPH 500 HS front
 
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SD1200 IS Key Specs

Canon ELPH 500 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-105mm (F2.0-5.8) lens
  • 185g - 101 x 56 x 25mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Alternate Name is IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S
Canon SD1200 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 160g - 86 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2009
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 95 IS
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SD1200 IS Overview

Its time to look closer at the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Canon SD1200 IS, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both of them are designed by Canon. The sensor resolution of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and the SD1200 IS (10MP) is fairly close and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ELPH 500 HS was launched 24 months after the SD1200 IS making them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the ELPH 500 HS scores versus the SD1200 IS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 500 HS over the Canon SD1200 IS

 ELPH 500 HS SD1200 IS 
LaunchedFebruary 2011February 2009Newer by 24 months
Display dimensions3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Canon ELPH 500 HS

 SD1200 IS ELPH 500 HS 

Common features in the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Canon SD1200 IS

 ELPH 500 HS SD1200 IS 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SD1200 IS Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon ELPH 500 HS features outer dimensions of 101mm x 56mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Canon SD1200 IS has proportions of 86mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Canon ELPH 500 HS versus Canon SD1200 IS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the ELPH 500 HS versus the SD1200 IS.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SD1200 IS size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 500 HS and SD1200 IS is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SD1200 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SD1200 IS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to picture the difference in sensor dimensions only by looking through technical specs. The picture underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ELPH 500 HS and SD1200 IS.

As you can tell, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can anticipate the Canon ELPH 500 HS to provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics more aggressively. The more recent ELPH 500 HS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SD1200 IS sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SD1200 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SD1200 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Portrait photography information
Canon SD1200 IS Portrait photography information
26
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
24
includes face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low MP (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS as a Street photography camera
Canon SD1200 IS as a Street photography camera
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch to focus
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Sports photography features
Canon SD1200 IS Sports photography features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery (180 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon ELPH 500 HS
Travel photography with Canon SD1200 IS
64
provides touch to focus
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery (180 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
low MP (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SD1200 IS as a Landscape photography camera
40
pretty wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery (180 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
26
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not possible
low MP (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SD1200 IS as a Vlogging camera
37
pretty wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone socket
27
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic port
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SD1200 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 500 HS and Canon SD1200 IS
 Canon ELPH 500 HSCanon PowerShot SD1200 IS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model Canon ELPH 500 HS Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS
Otherwise known as IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S Digital IXUS 95 IS
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-02-07 2009-02-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-105mm (4.4x) 35-105mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-5.8 f/2.8-4.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology PureColor II Touch TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (tunnel)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185g (0.41 lbs) 160g (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 101 x 56 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 180 photos 260 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $175 $250