Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21
92 Imaging
35 Features
19 Overall
28
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93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23
Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21 Key Specs
(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
(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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Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot A1200 and Nikon Coolpix L21. The whole galleries are available at Canon A1200 Gallery and Nikon L21 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Nikon L21
A1200 | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2010 | Newer by 12 months |
Display dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon A1200
L21 | A1200 |
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Common features in the Canon A1200 and Nikon L21
A1200 | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The 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.
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.
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Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the A1200 and L21 is 92 and 93 respectively.
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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.
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Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Canon A1200 vs Nikon L21 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A1200 | Nikon 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 |