Clicky

Canon A1200 vs Sony A6400

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
19
Overall
29
Canon PowerShot A1200 front
 
Sony Alpha a6400 front
Portability
83
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Canon A1200 vs Sony A6400 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
Sony A6400
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102400)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 403g - 120 x 67 x 50mm
  • Revealed January 2019
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Canon A1200 vs Sony A6400 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Canon A1200 versus Sony A6400, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the A1200 (12MP) and A6400 (24MP) and the A1200 (1/2.3") and A6400 (APS-C) boast different sensor measurements.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The A1200 was introduced 9 years prior to the A6400 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Canon A1200 being a Compact camera and the Sony A6400 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the A1200 grades versus the A6400 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Sony A6400

 A1200 A6400 

Reasons to pick Sony A6400 over the Canon A1200

 A6400 A1200 
RevealedJanuary 2019January 2011More modern by 97 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon A1200 and Sony A6400

 A1200 A6400 

Canon A1200 vs Sony A6400 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Canon A1200 has physical measurements 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 Sony A6400 has specifications of 120mm x 67mm x 50mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.0") and a weight of 403 grams (0.89 lbs).

Analyze the Canon A1200 versus Sony A6400 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the A1200 against the A6400.

Canon A1200 vs Sony A6400 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the A1200 and A6400 is 92 and 83 respectively.

Canon A1200 vs Sony A6400 top view buttons comparison

Canon A1200 vs Sony A6400 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizes merely by researching specifications. The picture here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the A1200 and A6400.

Plainly, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The A1200 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony A6400 will result in more detail using its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged A1200 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon A1200 vs Sony A6400 sensor size comparison

Canon A1200 vs Sony A6400 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1200 vs Sony A6400 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A1200 Portrait photography factors
Sony A6400 Portrait photography factors
27
has face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
82
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW formats
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Street Comparison

Canon A1200 Street photography information
Sony A6400 Street photography information
46
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
81
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
includes touch focus
environment proof
very good high ISO (32,000)
lack of image stabilization
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A1200
Sports photography with Sony A6400
24
has tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
76
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Travel Comparison

Canon A1200 Travel photography details
Sony A6400 Travel photography details
55
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
87
environment proof
supports bluetooth
includes touch focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Landscape Comparison

Canon A1200 Landscape photography details
Sony A6400 Landscape photography details
27
pretty wide (28mm)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery power (200 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
80
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (32,000)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A1200
Vlogging with Sony A6400
27
pretty wide (28mm)
has face detect focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic jack
80
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
includes face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic port
lack of image stabilization
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Canon A1200 vs Sony A6400 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1200 and Sony A6400
 Canon PowerShot A1200Sony Alpha a6400
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot A1200 Sony Alpha a6400
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2011-01-05 2019-01-15
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 1600 32000
Highest enhanced ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 425
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Off, auto, on, slow sync, rear sync, redeye reduction, wireless, hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, XAVC-S
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 185 grams (0.41 lb) 403 grams (0.89 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") 120 x 67 x 50mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 83
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 1431
Other
Battery life 200 pictures 410 pictures
Type of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick DUO (UHS-I compliant)
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $109 $898