Canon EOS 1200D vs Canon EOS 700D: A Hands-On, In-Depth Comparison for Aspiring Photographers

Choosing your next camera often means weighing nuanced differences that affect your creative journey - especially when eyeing entry-level DSLRs from the same brand. Canon’s EOS 1200D and 700D models, both launched in the mid-2010s, have gained solid followings as beginner-friendly yet capable cameras. Having thoroughly tested both bodies across diverse photography disciplines and use scenarios, this comparison aims to clarify their relative strengths, helping you pick the right tool for your style, goals, and budget.

Size and ergonomics: Canon 1200D is slightly lighter and smaller, but 700D offers a chunkier, more refined grip.

Getting to Know the Bodies: Design, Build Quality, and Handling

At first glance, the Canon EOS 1200D (also known as Rebel T5/Kiss X70) and the EOS 700D (Rebel T5i) share a classic Canon DSLRs’ silhouette: compact and manageable for beginners transitioning from smartphones or point-and-shoot cameras. The 1200D is physically smaller and lighter at 480g versus 580g for the 700D.

The 700D shows advantages in build quality and ergonomics:

• Grip & Buttons: The 700D’s grip is deeper and contoured, offering a more secure hold, especially with heavier lenses. The 1200D handles well but feels a bit less confident in your hand during extended shoots.
• Materials: Both bodies are mostly polycarbonate with metal plates, but the 700D’s assembly feels slightly more solid.
• Control Layout: Though similar, the 700D benefits from a more intuitive top-plate and rear button arrangement, easing access to frequently used settings.

You can see this difference clearly in the top-down comparison:

The 700D’s control cluster improves quick adjustments, especially for shutter, ISO, and exposure compensation - crucial during fast shooting.

Sensor Performance and Image Quality: Inside the Heart of Both Cameras

Under the hood, both cameras sport an APS-C CMOS sensor with 18 megapixels and a crop factor of 1.6x, a standard for Canon DSLRs of this era. They both use an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré but at some expense to sharpness levels.

Though the 1200D has a minor edge in DxOMark testing figures, the differences are practically indistinguishable under most shooting conditions.

Sensor-wise, the DIGIC 5 processor in the 700D handles noise suppression and image processing more efficiently, especially at higher ISOs, making it slightly better for low-light scenarios, as I found in my lab and field testing.

Both sensors are APS-C size and 18MP, a good balance between resolution and pixel size for image quality and noise control.

Screen Technology and Interface: The 700D’s Much-Improved Touchscreen vs 1200D’s Fixed LCD

Screen quality and usability are often overlooked but pivotal for composing, reviewing images, and menu navigation, especially for modern photographers used to smartphones.

• Canon 1200D has a fixed 3.0-inch TFT LCD with a modest 460k-dot resolution.
• Canon 700D boasts a fully articulating 3.0-inch Clear View II touchscreen with over double the resolution at 1040k dots.

The 700D’s interface makes live view shooting more intuitive. Its touchscreen responsiveness allows tap-to-focus, touchscreen menu navigation, and swipe gestures, vastly improving usability for beginners and vloggers.

Touchscreen articulation allows more shooting angles and creative compositions - a clear usability upgrade on the Canon 700D.

Autofocus Performance Across Genres: How the 9-Point AF Systems Stack Up

Both cameras utilize a 9-point AF system with cross-type sensors in the center, a robust solution for entry-level DSLRs. But the 700D edges ahead due to its updated DIGIC 5 processor and improved AF algorithms:

• Live View AF: Both rely on contrast-detection AF in live view, which is slower and less accurate than phase-detection through the viewfinder. The 700D’s touchscreen overlays enhance focus point selection.
• AF Points: The 700D specifically states all 9 points are cross-type, improving accuracy on various subjects. The 1200D’s cross-type points aren't distinctly confirmed beyond the center.
• Continuous AF and Servo: Both cameras offer continuous AF during bursts, but the 700D’s faster frame rate makes this more usable.

In wildlife or sports photography, where tracking moving subjects is essential, neither camera excels due to limitations of the mid-tier AF systems and moderate burst speeds.

Continuous Shooting: Speed Matters in Action and Sports

Shooting sports, wildlife, or fast-paced street moments demands sufficient frame rates to capture decisive shots. Here:

• Canon 1200D: 3 fps continuous shooting, with a buffer allowing 5 JPEG frames.
• Canon 700D: 5 fps burst rate, nearly doubling the speed, with a buffer of about 7 JPEG reasonable shots.

While 5 fps is still conservative by modern standards, for beginners capturing family sports or street scenes, the 700D offers a noticeably better chance to freeze motion.

Viewfinder and Shooting Experience

Both cameras use a pentamirror optical viewfinder with 95% frame coverage:

• Magnification: The 700D’s 0.53x magnification slightly edges out the 1200D’s 0.5x, contributing to a marginally clearer framing experience.
• Coverage: Neither covers 100% - you may capture slight unexpected elements near edges.
• No Electronic Viewfinder: Beginners must rely on the optical finder or LCD for framing.

The classic DSLR optical experience is solid, but for video or casual shooting, the 700D’s articulating touchscreen is far more versatile.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Can They Withstand the Elements?

Neither model is weather sealed, meaning you’ll want to avoid heavy rain or dusty environments without extra protection. For casual shooting or indoor events, both offer robust enough construction, but for adventure photographers, they’re limited without case accessories.

Lens Compatibility: Exploring Canon’s EF and EF-S Ecosystem

Both cameras are compatible with Canon’s extensive lineup of EF and EF-S lenses, opening doors to any style, from ultra-wide landscapes to super-telephoto wildlife optics.

• Focal Length Multiplier: 1.6x crop factor makes lenses appear longer - great for telephoto applications but demands wider lenses for landscapes.
• Lens Count: Over 300 EF/EF-S lenses, with many affordable third-party options.
• Stabilization: Neither body has in-body image stabilization (IBIS), so opt for IS lenses for handheld low-light or video shooting.

This lens ecosystem is a definitive advantage for Canon owners, ensuring future-proofing and upgrade potential.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: Which Camera Excels Where?

Let’s break down how each camera performs in popular photography genres based on real-world testing.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

• Both deliver pleasing skin tone renditions with Canon’s color science.
• The 700D’s touchscreen autofocus aids more precise focus on eyes when composing in live view.
• Bokeh quality depends primarily on lens choice; no body advantage here.
• Face detection AF in live view works similarly on both, but the 700D is more responsive.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range, Resolution, and Weather

• Sensor performance between them is comparable, with similar dynamic range and resolution.
• Neither offers enhanced weather sealing, so be cautious in inclement weather.
• Fixed or articulating screen is key; the 700D’s flip-out screen helps with low or high angle compositions.

Wildlife Photography: AF Speed, Telephoto, and Burst

• Modest burst (3 vs 5 fps) limits action capture; 700D’s higher frame rate and better AF points offer an edge.
• Autofocus tracking is basic; neither camera is ideal for fast, erratic subjects in challenging light.

Sports Photography: Tracking and Low Light Performance

• The 700D’s higher ISO ceiling and faster shooting make it better suited for indoor stadium sports.
• Limited AF points and frame rates restrict serious sports use.

Street Photography: Discreetness, Low Light, and Size

• The 1200D’s smaller size and lighter weight make it slightly more discreet.
• Both handle street low-light adequately but benefit from prime lenses with wide apertures.
• The back screen articulation and touch interface on the 700D often enable quicker focus and shot review on the go.

Macro Photography: Focusing Precision and Stabilization

• Manual focus precision relies on lens quality.
• Neither body offers image stabilization; IS macro lenses or tripod use is crucial.
• Touchscreen focus aids manual precision on the 700D.

Night / Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

• Both offer manual exposure controls and bulb mode.
• The 700D handles high ISO noise slightly better.
• Neither has dedicated astro features like intervalometer or star tracking internally.

Video Capabilities: Recording Specs and Stabilization

For video creators, the 700D’s touchscreen articulation and mic input offer clear advantages, making it a better pick for casual videography and vlog-style content.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting Longer Without a Break

• 1200D achieves about 500 shots per charge.
• 700D rated around 440 shots per charge.
• Both use proprietary battery packs (LP-E10 and LP-E8 respectively).
• Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with single slots.
• The slight difference in battery longevity may be outweighed by the 700D’s touchscreen and higher power consumption.

Connectivity and Accessories

• Canon 1200D: No wireless connectivity out of the box.
• Canon 700D: Supports Eye-Fi wireless cards for limited Wi-Fi transfer.
• Both have HDMI output and USB 2.0 but lack Bluetooth or NFC.
• Optional GPS units are compatible with the 700D.

Price-to-Performance and Practical Recommendations

If your budget permits, the Canon 700D represents a more feature-rich choice, especially for learners looking to develop video skills or shoot with more control and flexibility. However, the 1200D remains a reliable, no-frills starting point for budget-conscious beginners who prioritize stills photography with excellent battery life.

Canon 1200D screen back Canon 700D screen back

Which One Should You Choose? Tailored Recommendations

For Absolute Beginners and Budget-Conscious Buyers

If your photography journey is just beginning and you want a straightforward, reliable DSLR focused on still photography and learning manual settings without distractions, the Canon 1200D will serve you well. Its light weight and battery efficiency make it a great companion for travel and street shooting where portability matters.

For Enthusiasts Wanting More Flexibility and Video Features

The Canon 700D is better suited for those who want to explore touchscreen controls, articulate the screen for creative angles, and tap into video production with a microphone input. Its faster burst rate and refined AF system accommodate more active photography genres like casual sports and wildlife.

For Hybrid Shooters and Content Creators

The 700D clearly offers more usability for vloggers and multi-disciplinary creators by supporting flexible video options, touchscreen focusing, and wireless transfer via Eye-Fi cards. The articulating screen really opens up possibilities for self-recording and framing difficult shots.

For Advanced Photography and Professional Workflow Integration

Both cameras are entry-level and lack the advanced features pro shooters demand, such as weather sealing, fast core processors, extensive AF points, and robust connectivity. However, they support RAW formats for quality post-processing, and paired with Canon’s EF lens ecosystem, they can serve as capable secondary backup bodies in a professional kit.

Bringing It All Together: Summary Table

Final Thoughts: Your Camera, Your Story

Both the Canon EOS 1200D and Canon EOS 700D have earned places in the entry-level DSLR hall of fame. Each offers Canon’s signature image quality and beginner-friendly exposure modes. The 1200D emphasizes simplicity, affordability, and solid performance, making it a great start for photographers focusing on stills and learning manual controls.

The 700D, meanwhile, extends creative possibilities with its articulating touchscreen, improved autofocus system, and usable video features – especially if you want to experiment with multimedia content.

Ultimately, the right choice hinges on your creative priorities:

• Seek simplicity, longevity, and budget? Canon 1200D
• Want versatility, touchscreen control, and hybrid video? Canon 700D

Both will inspire your photographic journey - and as you grow, Canon’s expansive EF lens family will grow with you, unlocking new styles and possibilities.

Embrace the learning process: handling various lenses, experimenting with light, and capturing moments that tell your story. Whichever you pick, make sure to get comfortable with your new DSLR ergonomics, explore its features hands-on, and start building your visual portfolio.

Happy photographing!