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Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SD1200 IS

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SD1200 IS Key Specs

Canon A3500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 135g - 98 x 56 x 20mm
  • Released January 2013
Canon SD1200 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 160g - 86 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 95 IS
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Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SD1200 IS Overview

Here is a detailed overview of the Canon A3500 IS versus Canon SD1200 IS, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both of them are produced by Canon. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the A3500 IS (16MP) and SD1200 IS (10MP) but they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was unveiled 3 years later than the SD1200 IS and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the A3500 IS scores versus the SD1200 IS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Canon SD1200 IS

 A3500 IS SD1200 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2013February 2009Fresher by 48 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Canon A3500 IS

 SD1200 IS A3500 IS 

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Canon SD1200 IS

 A3500 IS SD1200 IS 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SD1200 IS Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon A3500 IS offers outside measurements of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Canon SD1200 IS has measurements of 86mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Canon A3500 IS versus Canon SD1200 IS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the A3500 IS compared to the SD1200 IS.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SD1200 IS size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A3500 IS and SD1200 IS is 96 and 95 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SD1200 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SD1200 IS Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to picture the difference in sensor sizing just by looking through technical specs. The photograph here will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the A3500 IS and SD1200 IS.

As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can expect the Canon A3500 IS to result in greater detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The fresher A3500 IS provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SD1200 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SD1200 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SD1200 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A3500 IS
Portrait photography with Canon SD1200 IS
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
24
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Street photography factors
Canon SD1200 IS Street photography factors
67
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
lighter than others (135 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Sports photography information
Canon SD1200 IS Sports photography information
38
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography features
Canon SD1200 IS Travel photography features
68
lighter than others (135 grams)
comes with focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low MP (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Landscape photography details
Canon SD1200 IS Landscape photography details
41
rather wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
manual mode not possible
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SD1200 IS as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (28mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than others (135g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
Photography Glossary

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SD1200 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Canon SD1200 IS
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISCanon PowerShot SD1200 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS
Alternative name - Digital IXUS 95 IS
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-07 2009-02-18
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 35-105mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/2.8-4.9
Macro focus range 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.5"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (tunnel)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
External flash
AE bracketing
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 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135g (0.30 lbs) 160g (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photographs 260 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-11L NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $115 $250