Clicky

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX120 IS

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
19
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot A1200 front
 
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX120 IS Key Specs

Canon A1200
(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
Canon SX120 IS
(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
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

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.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

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.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Canon SX120 IS

 A1200 SX120 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2011August 2009Newer by 17 months

Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Canon A1200

 SX120 IS A1200 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Canon A1200 and Canon SX120 IS

 A1200 SX120 IS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX120 IS size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX120 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX120 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A1200 Portrait photography highlights
Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography highlights
26
offers face detect focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
33
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Canon A1200 Street photography factors
Canon SX120 IS Street photography factors
46
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
51
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
heavier than average (285 grams)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Canon A1200 Sports photography factors
Canon SX120 IS Sports photography factors
23
offers tracking focus
low fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (200 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
26
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Canon A1200 Travel photography info
Canon SX120 IS Travel photography info
55
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (200 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
long reach (360mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than average (285 grams)
low megapixels (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Canon A1200 Landscape photography highlights
Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography highlights
27
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery pack (200 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
36
has manual focus
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1200 Vlogging advice
Canon SX120 IS Vlogging advice
27
relatively wide (28mm)
offers face detect focus
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic port
heavier than average (285g)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX120 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1200 and Canon SX120 IS
 Canon PowerShot A1200Canon 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