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Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
19
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot A1200 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21 Key Specs

Canon A1200
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 185g - 98 x 63 x 31mm
  • Introduced January 2011
Nikon L21
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
  • Announced February 2010
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Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Canon A1200 versus Nikon L21, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the A1200 (12MP) and L21 (8MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The A1200 was introduced 12 months after the L21 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the A1200 scores vs the L21 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Nikon L21

 A1200 L21 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011February 2010Newer by 12 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon A1200

 L21 A1200 

Common features in the Canon A1200 and Nikon L21

 A1200 L21 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon A1200 has outer measurements of 98mm x 63mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Nikon L21 has dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon A1200 versus Nikon L21 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the A1200 vs the L21.

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the A1200 and L21 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading through technical specs. The picture underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the A1200 and L21.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Canon A1200 to give you greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images more aggressively. The more modern A1200 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A1200 Portrait photography information
Nikon L21 Portrait photography information
26
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
18
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
MP count low (8MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A1200 Street photography details
Nikon L21 Street photography details
46
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
46
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A1200 Sports photography advice
Nikon L21 Sports photography advice
23
supports tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
15
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A1200 Travel photography advice
Nikon L21 Travel photography advice
55
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (200 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
50
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
MP count low (8 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A1200
Landscape photography with Nikon L21
27
rather wide (28mm)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
21
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.5 inches)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1200 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L21 as a Vlogging camera
27
rather wide (28mm)
supports face detection focus
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external mic socket
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Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1200 and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot A1200Nikon Coolpix L21
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot A1200 Nikon Coolpix L21
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-01-05 2010-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 8 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 185 gr (0.41 pounds) 169 gr (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1")
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 -
Type of battery AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA 2 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $109 $180