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Canon A1200 vs Canon SD1200 IS

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
19
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot A1200 front
 
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon A1200 vs Canon SD1200 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
  • Introduced January 2011
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 A1200 vs Canon SD1200 IS Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Canon A1200 vs Canon SD1200 IS, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both created by Canon. The resolution of the A1200 (12MP) and the SD1200 IS (10MP) is very similar and both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The A1200 was announced 23 months after the SD1200 IS making them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the A1200 grades versus the SD1200 IS with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Canon SD1200 IS

 A1200 SD1200 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2011February 2009Newer by 23 months
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Canon A1200

 SD1200 IS A1200 

Common features in the Canon A1200 and Canon SD1200 IS

 A1200 SD1200 IS 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Canon A1200 vs Canon SD1200 IS Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon A1200 has got physical measurements of 98mm x 63mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) and 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).

See the Canon A1200 vs Canon SD1200 IS in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the A1200 versus the SD1200 IS.

Canon A1200 vs Canon SD1200 IS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A1200 and SD1200 IS is 92 and 95 respectively.

Canon A1200 vs Canon SD1200 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A1200 vs Canon SD1200 IS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions simply by going over a spec sheet. The image here may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the A1200 and SD1200 IS.

As you can see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Canon A1200 to offer more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The more modern A1200 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon A1200 vs Canon SD1200 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A1200 vs Canon SD1200 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1200 vs Canon SD1200 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A1200
Portrait photography with Canon SD1200 IS
26
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
25
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A1200 as a Street photography camera
Canon SD1200 IS as a Street photography camera
46
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A1200 Sports photography information
Canon SD1200 IS Sports photography information
23
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A1200
Travel photography with Canon SD1200 IS
55
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery (200 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A1200
Landscape photography with Canon SD1200 IS
27
really wide (28mm)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery (200 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5")
no manual control
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1200 as a Vlogging camera
Canon SD1200 IS as a Vlogging camera
27
really wide (28mm)
features face detect focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
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Canon A1200 vs Canon SD1200 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1200 and Canon SD1200 IS
 Canon PowerShot A1200Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A1200 Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS
Also called as - Digital IXUS 95 IS
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-01-05 2009-02-18
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 35-105mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-4.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) Optical (tunnel)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185g (0.41 lbs) 160g (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 200 shots 260 shots
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA NB-6L
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $109 $250