Canon A1200 vs Canon SX120 IS
92 Imaging
35 Features
19 Overall
28


87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31
Canon A1200 vs Canon SX120 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 185g - 98 x 63 x 31mm
- Introduced January 2011
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
- 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
- Introduced August 2009

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX120 IS Overview
The following is a in depth overview of the Canon A1200 and Canon SX120 IS, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both are produced by Canon. The resolution of the A1200 (12MP) and the SX120 IS (10MP) is relatively close but the A1200 (1/2.3") and SX120 IS (1/2.5") use totally different sensor sizes.

The A1200 was manufactured 17 months after the SX120 IS which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a short introduction of how the A1200 grades against the SX120 IS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX120 IS Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A1200 and Canon PowerShot SX120 IS. The entire galleries are available at Canon A1200 Gallery and Canon SX120 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Canon SX120 IS
A1200 | SX120 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2011 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 17 months |
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Canon A1200
SX120 IS | A1200 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Canon A1200 and Canon SX120 IS
A1200 | SX120 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly screen |
Canon A1200 vs Canon SX120 IS Physical Comparison
When you are intending to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon A1200 provides exterior measurements of 98mm x 63mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Canon SX120 IS has sizing of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs).
Examine the Canon A1200 and Canon SX120 IS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the A1200 vs the SX120 IS.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the A1200 and SX120 IS is 92 and 87 respectively.

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX120 IS Sensor Comparison
Generally, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specs. The pic here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the A1200 and SX120 IS.
All in all, each of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A1200 featuring a bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Canon A1200 will provide you with extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer A1200 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX120 IS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX120 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot A1200 | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Canon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot A1200 | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2011-01-05 | 2009-08-19 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | Digic 4 |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.5" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 36-360mm (10.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/2.8-4.3 |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (tunnel) | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 15 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/2500 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m | 3.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/500 secs |
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), 160 x 120 (15 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 185 grams (0.41 lbs) | 285 grams (0.63 lbs) |
Dimensions | 98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 photographs | - |
Form of battery | AA | - |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | $109 | $249 |