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Canon A1200 vs Olympus TG-5

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
19
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot A1200 front
 
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43

Canon A1200 vs Olympus TG-5 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
Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Released May 2017
  • Superseded the Olympus TG-4
  • Later Model is Olympus TG-6
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Canon A1200 vs Olympus TG-5 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Canon A1200 and Olympus TG-5, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Olympus. The resolution of the A1200 (12MP) and the TG-5 (12MP) is fairly similar and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A1200 was revealed 7 years earlier than the TG-5 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the A1200 matches up vs the TG-5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Olympus TG-5

 A1200 TG-5 

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Canon A1200

 TG-5 A1200 
ReleasedMay 2017January 2011More modern by 77 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon A1200 and Olympus TG-5

 A1200 TG-5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Canon A1200 vs Olympus TG-5 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon A1200 provides exterior dimensions of 98mm x 63mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Olympus TG-5 has dimensions of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Compare the Canon A1200 and Olympus TG-5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the A1200 vs the TG-5.

Canon A1200 vs Olympus TG-5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A1200 and TG-5 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Canon A1200 vs Olympus TG-5 top view buttons comparison

Canon A1200 vs Olympus TG-5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to see the difference between sensor sizes only by reading a spec sheet. The image underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A1200 and TG-5.

Clearly, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution and you should expect similar quality of photos although you need to consider the release date of the products into consideration. The more aged A1200 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon A1200 vs Olympus TG-5 sensor size comparison

Canon A1200 vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1200 vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A1200 Portrait photography factors
Olympus TG-5 Portrait photography factors
26
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
39
you can focus manually
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
no manual mode
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon A1200 Street photography information
Olympus TG-5 Street photography information
46
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than average in class (250g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon A1200 Sports photography information
Olympus TG-5 Sports photography information
23
provides tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
46
max frames per second high (20.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
great battery (340 shots)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A1200 Travel photography highlights
Olympus TG-5 Travel photography highlights
55
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (200 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
great battery (340 CIPA)
environment proof
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than average in class (250g)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A1200 Landscape photography factors
Olympus TG-5 Landscape photography factors
27
fairly wide (28mm)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery power (200 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
57
you can focus manually
rather wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
great battery (340 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A1200
Vlogging with Olympus TG-5
27
fairly wide (28mm)
provides face detect autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone socket
34
rather wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than average in class (250g)
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Canon A1200 vs Olympus TG-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1200 and Olympus TG-5
 Canon PowerShot A1200Olympus Tough TG-5
General Information
Make Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot A1200 Olympus Tough TG-5
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2011-01-05 2017-05-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology TruePic VIII
Sensor type CCD BSI-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 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 20.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 185 grams (0.41 lb) 250 grams (0.55 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
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 photos 340 photos
Battery format AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA LI-92B
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible)
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $109 $449