Canon EOS 1200D vs Canon EOS 450D: Which Entry-Level DSLR Deserves Your Attention in 2024?

Choosing an entry-level DSLR can feel like walking through a minefield - especially if you’re trying to select from models launched years apart yet still find their way into the used and budget markets. Today, I’m putting two Canon classics head-to-head: the Canon EOS 1200D (also known as the Rebel T5 or Kiss X70) from 2014, and the Canon EOS 450D (Rebel XSi or Kiss X2) from 2008.

Both have enjoyed strong reputations for being friendly stepping stones into digital photography, but which one still holds merit almost a decade and a half after its release? Drawing on years of hands-on testing and analysis, I report on real-world shooting, tech specs, and how they stack up across photography disciplines - from portraits to astrophotography.

Let’s dive in, starting with how these two compare in physical handling and design - you’ll want to see which feels right in your hands before digging into specs.

The Feel & Form Factor: Handling the 1200D and 450D in Real Life

When you pick up a DSLR, ergonomics can make or break your experience. The Canon 1200D and 450D share a compact SLR body style but there are subtle differences in their dimensions and weight worth noting.

At 130x100x78 mm and 480 grams, the 1200D is slightly heavier but also somewhat chunkier than the 450D’s 129x98x62 mm and 524 grams. The 450D’s slimmer profile makes it feel more “pocketable” for street and travel photography, while the 1200D’s grip feels more robust, aiding steady handling especially if you tend to shoot with heavier lenses.

From my extensive experience assessing DSLRs in fieldwork, even small changes in grip design impact comfort over extended shoots. The 1200D’s fuller grip reduces hand fatigue and gives better balance with telephoto lenses. Meanwhile, the 450D’s lighter heft may appeal if portability is your priority.

Moving to control layout and button access, the 1200D shows clear ergonomic evolution.

Canon simplified the 1200D’s top panel, providing more tactile and logically placed dials and buttons compared to the slightly more cluttered 450D. Notably, the 1200D features dedicated exposure compensation and Quick Control Button access, streamlining on-the-fly adjustments - a boon for event and sports shooters who need quick changes.

In short: if you value a camera that sits comfortably for long shoots and offers refined controls, the 1200D edges out - though the 450D remains quite manageable for casual photography.

Sensor and Image Quality: What Changed Inside the Camera?

Resolution, sensor technology, and processing pipelines have tremendous impact on output quality. Here’s a technical breakdown of what each camera brings to the table:

Both cameras sport APS-C sized CMOS sensors measuring about 22.3x14.9 mm - the format that remains Canon’s DSLR standard, offering a 1.6x crop factor. The 1200D boasts an 18-megapixel sensor, a solid bump from the 450D’s 12 megapixels. This means the 1200D images carry significantly more detail and larger prints without losing sharpness.

Color depth and dynamic range metrics from DxOMark grade the 1200D at 21.9 bits color depth and 11.3 stops dynamic range, slightly better than the 450D’s 21.9 bits and 10.8 stops. While not game-changing by today’s standards, this translates into richer color gradations and improved highlight/shadow recoveries in post-processing.

ISO performance also reflects incremental improvements. The 1200D’s native ISO topping at 6400 (expandable to 12800) beats the 450D’s 1600 max ISO, enabling better low-light shooting with less noise, though expect grainy images above ISO 3200 on both.

Thanks to Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor in the 1200D (the 450D’s processor unspecified, but older), image processing is noticeably faster and cleaner, especially in JPEG output and noise reduction.

In practice, during landscape shoots, the extra resolution and dynamic range let me pull more shadows from shaded areas without sacrificing midtones. In portrait sessions, the nuanced skin tone rendition is more flattering - something I didn’t get from the 450D unless I heavily edited RAW files.

Screen and Viewfinder: How You See Your Shot Matters

Visual feedback during composition makes a big difference. Here’s how the two cameras compare on screens and viewfinders:

Both DSLR models feature fixed 3-inch rear screens, but the 1200D offers a sharper 460k-dot TFT LCD versus the 450D’s 230k-dot display. This higher resolution aids critical focus checking and framing, especially under bright daylight.

Neither has touchscreens or articulating options - a dated limitation, but expected at their price points and eras.

Their optical viewfinders use pentamirror designs with roughly 95% frame coverage. The 450D's slightly higher magnification (0.55x vs. 0.5x) gives a marginally larger view. Still, the 1200D's viewfinder feels a bit brighter due to improved optics inside, making manual focusing and composition less straining.

The 1200D incorporates live view with face detection autofocus on the screen - a huge convenience not available on the 450D, which only supports live view without autofocus. I’ve found face detection indispensable for portraits and casual shooting, making the 1200D's live view a real usability plus.

Autofocus and Performance: Do More in Less Time

Autofocus capabilities can’t be overstated for wildlife, sports, or street photographers. Both cameras sport 9 AF points with cross-type or unspecified cross-type sensors, but there’s a subtle nuance.

The 1200D improves autofocus accuracy via better on-sensor phase detection and contrast detection in live view mode, including face detection - which is a big leap from the 450D’s absence of these features. For wildlife hunters or fast-moving subjects, the 450D offers a slightly higher 4 fps burst rate, versus 3 fps on the 1200D.

In field tests, the 450D feels nimble when shooting fast action outdoors, but its phase-detection struggles in low light. The 1200D compensates with improved AF sensitivity and better accuracy for portraiture or static subjects in dimmer environments.

So if your focus is fast sports or wildlife, the 450D’s higher shooting speed edges it marginally; for portraits and general use, the 1200D’s AF sophistication wins.

Image Stabilization and Lens Compatibility: How Steady Are You?

Neither of these cameras has built-in image stabilization (IS); this relies entirely on lenses. Fortunately, both feature Canon’s EF and EF-S lens mounts, unlocking a massive ecosystem of over 320 lenses, including access to IS variants.

Over years of shooting landscapes and macro subjects, I’ve found image stabilization in lenses essential. Between the two, the choice comes down to which lenses you own or plan to acquire rather than inherent camera capabilities.

Both models support manual focus - vital for macro and astro enthusiasts - and the 1200D edges ahead with more live view AF options to help nail focus with non-IS lenses.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Battery woes can ruin marathon photography outings. The Canon 1200D packs a solid 500 shots per charge using its LP-E10 battery pack, a notable achievement compared to the unspecified but generally lower endurance of the 450D.

Storage options differ slightly: the 1200D supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, offering compatibility with larger, faster cards - an advantage for extended shooting and video recording. The 450D supports SD/SDHC but includes MMC compatibility, which is less common nowadays.

If you frequently shoot in remote locations - think landscape or wildlife trips - the 1200D’s battery life and modern card support provide peace of mind.

Video Capabilities: More Than Just Pictures?

If video is on your checklist, the choice is simple.

The 1200D shoots Full HD 1080p at 30 fps using H.264 encoding. It includes basic video features like manual exposure in video mode and HDMI output for external monitors.

The 450D, meanwhile, offers no video recording capabilities - typical of mid-2000s DSLRs but a serious limitation for multi-purpose use today.

If video plays any role in your workflow - say, travel vlogging or multimedia content - the 1200D is a much better pick.

Environmental Resistance and Build Quality: Shooting in Tough Conditions

Neither model is weather-sealed, dustproof, or shock-resistant, so you’ll need to treat both with care around moisture or harsh environments.

Build quality favors the 1200D slightly, feeling more modern and sturdier in hand without a noticeable weight penalty. Still, both remain plastic-bodied DSLRs aimed at entry-level users rather than pro ruggedness.

For landscape shooters who might face variable weather, invest in protective covers or camera backpacks regardless of model.

Let’s Look at the Numbers Across Photography Genres

I put these two through my benchmark suite, including DxOMark data and real-world tests across genres like portraits, sports, and macro.

Canon 1200D screen back Canon 450D front Canon 450D screen back

• Portraits: The 1200D’s higher resolution and face detection AF produce more flattering skin tones and reliable eye autofocus. The 450D’s lower resolution limits fine detail capture.

• Landscape: More pixels and better dynamic range make 1200D files more versatile for landscape prints and HDR workflows.

• Wildlife: 450D’s higher burst rate gives an edge, but 1200D’s improved AF accuracy assists with tricky focus scenarios.

• Sports: Similar to wildlife, 450D’s speed favoring burst mode but 1200D’s face detection helps in close-up sports shots.

• Street: The 450D’s smaller form factor helps stealthy shooting, yet 1200D’s better ISO handling matters when lighting dips.

• Macro: Both cameras rely on lens IS and manual focus, but live view with contrast AF on the 1200D simplifies critical focusing.

• Night/Astro: The 1200D’s higher ISO ceiling and larger pixel count yield cleaner night shots overall.

• Video: A win for 1200D with Full HD; 450D has none.

• Travel: Between battery life, live view, and video, 1200D stands out.

• Professional Use: Neither matches pro-level weather sealing or connectivity, but the 1200D’s raw files and video options give it an edge for multimedia projects.

Connectivity Features That Could Have Been

Both cameras are sadly lacking in wireless options - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. While this is understandable for their release periods, it’s a sore point today when instant image sharing dominates.

The 1200D’s HDMI out and USB 2.0 ports offer wired options for tethered shooting or external display, but enthusiasts wanting real-time wireless transfer will find neither camera up to scratch.

Price and Value: What’s the Cost of Entry?

Surprisingly, pricing remains similar on the used market - around $550 USD new for the 1200D (at launch) and about the same for the 450D in earlier days. Today, both are chiefly available secondhand or as refurb units.

If you can find a 1200D in good condition, it generally offers better bang-for-buck given all-around improvements and video capability.

Final Thoughts: Which Entry-Level Canon to Choose in 2024?

To sum it up:

My recommendation?

If you are starting from scratch or upgrading from a basic point-and-shoot, the Canon EOS 1200D is the smarter pick. It offers higher image quality, usable video, better autofocus versatility, and longer battery life - benefits that genuinely enhance your photographic journey.

However, if budget constraints drive you to the 450D, it still delivers solid image quality for portraits and everyday photography and retains the rugged simplicity many beginners appreciate. Just don’t expect video or the latest AF features.

Who Should Buy the Canon 1200D?

• You desire better image resolution and dynamic range for landscapes and portraits
• You want HD video recording to supplement stills
• You need longer battery life for travel and extended shoots
• You prefer improved live view with face detection AF for casual and portrait work

Who Might Still Consider the Canon 450D?

• You’re on a very tight budget sourcing secondhand gear
• You prioritize a lightweight, compact DSLR for street or casual shooting
• Fast burst mode is critical for your photography style (though consider newer alternatives)
• Video capability and advanced AF aren’t priorities

Wrapping Up

Between these two venerable Canon DSLRs, the 1200D’s incremental upgrades make it the worthwhile choice for most photographers, especially newcomers who want a system with more longevity and versatility.

The 450D remains a nostalgic yet competent performer, but I’d advise anyone seriously considering DSLRs today to stretch a bit toward the 1200D or explore newer Canon EOS models if your budget allows.

Thanks for following my detailed comparison. I hope this helps guide your decision so you get a camera that not only fits your hands but also enriches your capture experience.

Happy shooting!

If you found this useful, check my video review for side-by-side image samples and real-world AF tests, linked right above.