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Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX520 HS

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
Portability
69
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Key Specs

Canon SD1200 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 160g - 86 x 55 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 95 IS
Canon SX520 HS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.4-6.0) lens
  • 441g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Revealed July 2014
  • Replaced the Canon SX510 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX530 HS
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX520 HS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are produced by Canon. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and SX520 HS (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD1200 IS was revealed 6 years earlier than the SX520 HS which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SD1200 IS scores versus the SX520 HS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Canon SX520 HS

 SD1200 IS SX520 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Canon SD1200 IS

 SX520 HS SD1200 IS 
RevealedJuly 2014February 2009More modern by 66 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Canon SX520 HS

 SD1200 IS SX520 HS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SD1200 IS offers outside measurements of 86mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Canon SX520 HS has sizing of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs).

See the Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX520 HS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the SD1200 IS against the SX520 HS.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX520 HS size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD1200 IS and SX520 HS is 95 and 69 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX520 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes merely by researching technical specs. The picture below will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD1200 IS and SX520 HS.

As you have seen, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Canon SX520 HS to render more detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged SD1200 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX520 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Portrait photography info
Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography info
25
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
44
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Street photography with Canon SX520 HS
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
47
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX520 HS
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
45
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
has tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery (210 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Travel photography info
Canon SX520 HS Travel photography info
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
55
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (1008mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low battery (210 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SX520 HS
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
46
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery (210 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Vlogging info
Canon SX520 HS Vlogging info
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external microphone support
29
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Canon SX520 HS
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISCanon PowerShot SX520 HS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Also called as Digital IXUS 95 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-02-18 2014-07-29
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Digic 4+
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-105mm (3.0x) 24-1008mm (42.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.4-6.0
Macro focusing range 3cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.50 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, on, off, slow synchro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lbs) 441g (0.97 lbs)
Dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6")
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 260 pictures 210 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $250 $219