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Canon A1200 vs Canon A3500 IS

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
19
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot A1200 front
 
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
35
Overall
38

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3500 IS Key Specs

Canon A1200
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 185g - 98 x 63 x 31mm
  • Announced January 2011
Canon A3500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 135g - 98 x 56 x 20mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Canon A1200 vs Canon A3500 IS Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Canon A1200 and Canon A3500 IS, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are designed by Canon. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the A1200 (12MP) and A3500 IS (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A1200 was revealed 24 months earlier than the A3500 IS which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the A1200 scores versus the A3500 IS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Canon A3500 IS

 A1200 A3500 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Canon A1200

 A3500 IS A1200 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2011More modern by 24 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon A1200 and Canon A3500 IS

 A1200 A3500 IS 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3500 IS Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Canon A1200 has outside dimensions of 98mm x 63mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Canon A3500 IS has specifications of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).

Look at the Canon A1200 and Canon A3500 IS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the A1200 against the A3500 IS.

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3500 IS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A1200 and A3500 IS is 92 and 96 respectively.

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3500 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3500 IS Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes merely by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A1200 and A3500 IS.

As you can tell, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Canon A3500 IS to deliver more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged A1200 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3500 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3500 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3500 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A1200 as a Portrait photography camera
Canon A3500 IS as a Portrait photography camera
26
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
35
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A1200 as a Street photography camera
Canon A3500 IS as a Street photography camera
46
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A1200
Sports photography with Canon A3500 IS
23
provides tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A1200 Travel photography highlights
Canon A3500 IS Travel photography highlights
55
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
has touch to focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery power (200 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A1200 Landscape photography factors
Canon A3500 IS Landscape photography factors
27
decently wide (28mm)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
42
pretty wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery power (200 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1200 Vlogging info
Canon A3500 IS Vlogging info
27
decently wide (28mm)
provides face detect autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
34
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Canon A1200 vs Canon A3500 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1200 and Canon A3500 IS
 Canon PowerShot A1200Canon PowerShot A3500 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot A1200 Canon PowerShot A3500 IS
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-01-05 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology DIGIC 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 185g (0.41 lb) 135g (0.30 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 shots 200 shots
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA NB-11L
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $109 $115