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Canon A1200 vs Nikon S31

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
19
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot A1200 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27

Canon A1200 vs Nikon S31 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
  • Launched January 2011
Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Released June 2013
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Canon A1200 vs Nikon S31 Overview

Here is a detailed analysis of the Canon A1200 versus Nikon S31, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the A1200 (12MP) and the S31 (10MP) is pretty close but the A1200 (1/2.3") and S31 (1/2.9") feature different sensor measurements.

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The A1200 was introduced 3 years before the S31 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the A1200 grades vs the S31 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Nikon S31

 A1200 S31 

Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Canon A1200

 S31 A1200 
ReleasedJune 2013January 2011Fresher by 29 months

Common features in the Canon A1200 and Nikon S31

 A1200 S31 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Canon A1200 vs Nikon S31 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon A1200 has got external dimensions of 98mm x 63mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Nikon S31 has sizing of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Contrast the Canon A1200 versus Nikon S31 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the A1200 compared to the S31.

Canon A1200 vs Nikon S31 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A1200 and S31 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Canon A1200 vs Nikon S31 top view buttons comparison

Canon A1200 vs Nikon S31 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to picture the difference in sensor sizing merely by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A1200 and S31.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The A1200 using its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Canon A1200 will result in more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older A1200 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon A1200 vs Nikon S31 sensor size comparison

Canon A1200 vs Nikon S31 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1200 vs Nikon S31 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A1200 Portrait photography features
Nikon S31 Portrait photography features
26
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A1200 Street photography information
Nikon S31 Street photography information
46
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
52
weather proofing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A1200 Sports photography details
Nikon S31 Sports photography details
23
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
24
weather proofing
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A1200 Travel photography factors
Nikon S31 Travel photography factors
55
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
59
weather proofing
flash built-in
good max aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A1200
Landscape photography with Nikon S31
27
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery life (200 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
30
good max aperture (f)
weather proofing
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.9")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1200 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S31 as a Vlogging camera
27
reasonably wide (28mm)
offers face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone support
24
good max aperture (f)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic jack
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Canon A1200 vs Nikon S31 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1200 and Nikon S31
 Canon PowerShot A1200Nikon Coolpix S31
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot A1200 Nikon Coolpix S31
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2011-01-05 2013-06-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.9"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 4.96 x 3.72mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 18.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 29-87mm (3.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Crop factor 5.8 7.3
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 185 gr (0.41 pounds) 185 gr (0.41 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos 260 photos
Type 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
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $109 $90