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Canon A1200 vs Canon SX20 IS

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
19
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot A1200 front
 
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
Portability
65
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX20 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
  • Announced January 2011
Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Old Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX30 IS
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Canon A1200 vs Canon SX20 IS Overview

Its time to look closer at the Canon A1200 and Canon SX20 IS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Canon. The sensor resolution of the A1200 (12MP) and the SX20 IS (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A1200 was released 7 months after the SX20 IS so they are of a similar age. The two cameras have different body design with the Canon A1200 being a Compact camera and the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the A1200 grades against the SX20 IS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Canon SX20 IS

 A1200 SX20 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2011July 2010More modern by 7 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Canon A1200

 SX20 IS A1200 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon A1200 and Canon SX20 IS

 A1200 SX20 IS 
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX20 IS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon A1200 enjoys outer measurements of 98mm x 63mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Canon SX20 IS has proportions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Canon A1200 and Canon SX20 IS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the A1200 and the SX20 IS.

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX20 IS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A1200 and SX20 IS is 92 and 65 respectively.

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX20 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX20 IS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes only by looking through specifications. The picture underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the A1200 and SX20 IS.

To sum up, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same MP so you can expect comparable quality of images though you should always consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher A1200 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX20 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX20 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX20 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A1200 Portrait photography factors
Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography factors
26
supports face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
36
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/500s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A1200
Street photography with Canon SX20 IS
46
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
49
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competitors in class (600 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon A1200 Sports photography details
Canon SX20 IS Sports photography details
23
supports tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
33
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A1200 Travel photography advice
Canon SX20 IS Travel photography advice
55
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery (200 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
52
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (600 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A1200 Landscape photography information
Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography information
27
quite wide (28mm)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery (200 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
35
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A1200
Vlogging with Canon SX20 IS
27
quite wide (28mm)
supports face detect autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
49
fairly wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
heavier than competitors in class (600 grams)
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Canon A1200 vs Canon SX20 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1200 and Canon SX20 IS
 Canon PowerShot A1200Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A1200 Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-01-05 2010-07-06
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology Digic 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-5.7
Macro focus range 3cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/3200s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m 6.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/500s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 185 gr (0.41 lb) 600 gr (1.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4")
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 pictures -
Style of battery AA -
Battery model 2 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus
Card slots One One
Retail cost $109 $500