Canon A1200 vs Nikon AW120
92 Imaging
35 Features
19 Overall
28


92 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42
Canon A1200 vs Nikon AW120 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
- Revealed January 2011
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-120mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
- 213g - 110 x 66 x 26mm
- Launched February 2014
- Replaced the Nikon AW110
- Newer Model is Nikon AW130

Canon A1200 vs Nikon AW120 Overview
In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Canon A1200 vs Nikon AW120, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the A1200 (12MP) and AW120 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The A1200 was launched 4 years before the AW120 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the A1200 scores against the AW120 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon A1200 vs Nikon AW120 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A1200 and Nikon Coolpix AW120. The complete galleries are provided at Canon A1200 Gallery and Nikon AW120 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Nikon AW120
A1200 | AW120 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Canon A1200
AW120 | A1200 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2014 | ![]() | January 2011 | More modern by 37 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A1200 and Nikon AW120
A1200 | AW120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Canon A1200 vs Nikon AW120 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon A1200 has 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 Nikon AW120 has measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") along with a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs).
Contrast the Canon A1200 vs Nikon AW120 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the A1200 against the AW120.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A1200 and AW120 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Canon A1200 vs Nikon AW120 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading a spec sheet. The image underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A1200 and AW120.
As you can see, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Nikon AW120 to deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged A1200 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon A1200 vs Nikon AW120 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1200 vs Nikon AW120 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A1200 | Nikon Coolpix AW120 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot A1200 | Nikon Coolpix AW120 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Waterproof |
Revealed | 2011-01-05 | 2014-02-07 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 24-120mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/2.8-4.9 |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | OLED monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (tunnel) | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m | 5.20 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 185 grams (0.41 lbs) | 213 grams (0.47 lbs) |
Dimensions | 98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") | 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 pictures | 350 pictures |
Style of battery | AA | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes | - |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus | SD / SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $109 | $350 |