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Canon 1200D vs Sony A290

Portability
68
Imaging
60
Features
54
Overall
57
Canon EOS 1200D front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Canon 1200D vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Canon 1200D
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 480g - 130 x 100 x 78mm
  • Revealed February 2014
  • Additionally Known as EOS Rebel T5 / EOS Kiss X70
  • Superseded the Canon 1100D
  • Later Model is Canon T6
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
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Canon 1200D vs Sony A290 Overview

Following is a in depth overview of the Canon 1200D versus Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Canon and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the 1200D (18MP) and A290 (14MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (APS-C).

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The 1200D was unveiled 3 years after the A290 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the 1200D scores against the A290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon 1200D over the Sony A290

 1200D A290 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014June 2010More modern by 45 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Canon 1200D

 A290 1200D 

Common features in the Canon 1200D and Sony A290

 1200D A290 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon 1200D vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon 1200D enjoys outer measurements of 130mm x 100mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") and a weight of 480 grams (1.06 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check out the Canon 1200D versus Sony A290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the 1200D compared to the A290.

Canon 1200D vs Sony A290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the 1200D and A290 is 68 and 66 respectively.

Canon 1200D vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Canon 1200D vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes purely by viewing a spec sheet. The image underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the 1200D and A290.

As you can see, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Canon 1200D to provide you with extra detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more modern 1200D will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon 1200D vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Canon 1200D vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 1200D vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 1200D Portrait photography details
Sony A290 Portrait photography details
76
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
65
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Canon 1200D Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
59
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon 1200D Sports photography highlights
Sony A290 Sports photography highlights
55
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (500 shots)
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
low battery pack (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 1200D
Travel photography with Sony A290
55
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (500 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
53
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery pack (290 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 1200D
Landscape photography with Sony A290
64
focusing manually
change lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is good (3")
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (500 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
58
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
low battery pack (290 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 1200D Vlogging details
Sony A290 Vlogging details
27
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone jack
9
no video recording
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Canon 1200D vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1200D and Sony A290
 Canon EOS 1200DSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon EOS 1200D Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Other name EOS Rebel T5 / EOS Kiss X70 -
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2014-02-12 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Canon EF/EF-S Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 326 143
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.5x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.20 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 480 gr (1.06 lb) 549 gr (1.21 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 100 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 63 66
DXO Color Depth rating 21.9 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 11.5
DXO Low light rating 724 615
Other
Battery life 500 images 290 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E10 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $549 $600