Clicky

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon AW120

Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon AW120 Key Specs

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
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 95 IS
Nikon AW120
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 213g - 110 x 66 x 26mm
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Superseded the Nikon AW110
  • Later Model is Nikon AW130
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon AW120 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon AW120, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and AW120 (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The SD1200 IS was introduced 6 years earlier than the AW120 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SD1200 IS grades against the AW120 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

        

Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Nikon AW120

 SD1200 IS AW120 

Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Canon SD1200 IS

 AW120 SD1200 IS 
IntroducedFebruary 2014February 2009Newer by 60 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Nikon AW120

 SD1200 IS AW120 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon AW120 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD1200 IS offers exterior dimensions of 86mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Nikon AW120 has dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") having a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs).

See the Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon AW120 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the SD1200 IS and the AW120.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon AW120 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD1200 IS and AW120 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon AW120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon AW120 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions only by going through a spec sheet. The pic below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD1200 IS and AW120.

As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon AW120 to provide extra detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged SD1200 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon AW120 sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon AW120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon AW120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon AW120 as a Portrait photography camera
24
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Street photography with Nikon AW120
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Sports photography features
Nikon AW120 Sports photography features
24
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery (350 CIPA)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Travel photography details
Nikon AW120 Travel photography details
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
69
good battery (350 per charge)
environment sealing
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Landscape photography information
Nikon AW120 Landscape photography information
26
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inch)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
47
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
environment sealing
good battery (350 shots)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Vlogging advice
Nikon AW120 Vlogging advice
27
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
33
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic jack
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon AW120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Nikon AW120
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISNikon Coolpix AW120
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Nikon Coolpix AW120
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 95 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2009-02-18 2014-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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 -
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-105mm (3.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/2.8-4.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.20 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 pounds) 213g (0.47 pounds)
Dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0")
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 photos 350 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD / SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $250 $350