Clicky

Canon A1200 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
19
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot A1200 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
34
Overall
35

Canon A1200 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Canon A1200
(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
  • Released January 2011
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released July 2012
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Canon A1200 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Below is a extended comparison of the Canon A1200 vs Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the A1200 (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The A1200 was revealed 18 months before the SZ5 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the A1200 grades against the SZ5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Panasonic SZ5

 A1200 SZ5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Canon A1200

 SZ5 A1200 
ReleasedJuly 2012January 2011More recent by 18 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Canon A1200 and Panasonic SZ5

 A1200 SZ5 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Canon A1200 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Canon A1200 has exterior measurements of 98mm x 63mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ5 has sizing of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Check out the Canon A1200 vs Panasonic SZ5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the A1200 versus the SZ5.

Canon A1200 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A1200 and SZ5 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Canon A1200 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Canon A1200 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reading through technical specs. The graphic underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the A1200 and SZ5.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Panasonic SZ5 to give you more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older A1200 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon A1200 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Canon A1200 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1200 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A1200
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ5
26
features face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
33
good MP (14 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Canon A1200 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography features
46
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (136g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Canon A1200 Sports photography details
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography details
23
features tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Canon A1200 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Travel photography camera
55
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery life (200 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than competition (136 grams)
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon A1200 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography info
27
really wide (28mm)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
low battery life (200 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
42
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1200 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging advice
27
really wide (28mm)
features face detect focus
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
32
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (136 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic port
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Canon A1200 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1200 and Panasonic SZ5
 Canon PowerShot A1200Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot A1200 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-05 2012-07-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185g (0.41 pounds) 136g (0.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 photos 250 photos
Style of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $109 $195