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Canon A1200 vs Canon SX280 HS

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
19
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot A1200 front
 
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX280 HS 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 SX280 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Announced March 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX270 HS
Photography Glossary

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX280 HS Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Canon A1200 versus Canon SX280 HS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are produced by Canon. The image resolution of the A1200 (12MP) and the SX280 HS (12MP) is very well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The A1200 was manufactured 3 years earlier than the SX280 HS which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short highlight of how the A1200 grades vs the SX280 HS for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Canon SX280 HS

 A1200 SX280 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Canon A1200

 SX280 HS A1200 
AnnouncedMarch 2013January 2011Newer by 26 months
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon A1200 and Canon SX280 HS

 A1200 SX280 HS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX280 HS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon A1200 provides exterior measurements of 98mm x 63mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Canon SX280 HS has measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs).

Check out the Canon A1200 versus Canon SX280 HS in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the A1200 versus the SX280 HS.

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX280 HS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the A1200 and SX280 HS is 92 and 91 respectively.

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX280 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX280 HS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by checking a spec sheet. The pic below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the A1200 and SX280 HS.

As you can see, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP so you can expect similar quality of pictures however you will want to consider the age of the products into consideration. The more aged A1200 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX280 HS sensor size comparison

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX280 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1200 vs Canon SX280 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A1200
Portrait photography with Canon SX280 HS
26
includes face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
34
has manual focus
provides face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A1200 as a Street photography camera
Canon SX280 HS as a Street photography camera
46
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (233g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A1200 Sports photography factors
Canon SX280 HS Sports photography factors
23
includes tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
36
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
max fps very slow (4.0 fps)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery (210 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A1200 as a Travel photography camera
Canon SX280 HS as a Travel photography camera
55
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low battery pack (200 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than competition (233g)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery (210 per charge)
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A1200 Landscape photography details
Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography details
27
decently wide (28mm)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
41
has manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery (210 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1200 Vlogging highlights
Canon SX280 HS Vlogging highlights
27
decently wide (28mm)
includes face detect focusing
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
34
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (233 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
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Canon A1200 vs Canon SX280 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1200 and Canon SX280 HS
 Canon PowerShot A1200Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A1200 Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-01-05 2013-03-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology Digic 6
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-6.8
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/3200s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185 gr (0.41 pounds) 233 gr (0.51 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos 210 photos
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA NB-6L
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 Single Single
Pricing at launch $109 $325