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Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon S30

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon S30 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 95 IS
Nikon S30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
  • Released February 2012
Photography Glossary

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon S30 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Canon SD1200 IS and Nikon S30, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and the S30 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the SD1200 IS (1/2.3") and S30 (1/3") boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The SD1200 IS was announced 3 years prior to the S30 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SD1200 IS matches up vs the S30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Nikon S30

 SD1200 IS S30 

Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Canon SD1200 IS

 S30 SD1200 IS 
ReleasedFebruary 2012February 2009More modern by 35 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Nikon S30

 SD1200 IS S30 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon S30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SD1200 IS features 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) whilst the Nikon S30 has sizing of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD1200 IS and Nikon S30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the SD1200 IS versus the S30.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon S30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD1200 IS and S30 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon S30 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon S30 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes purely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SD1200 IS and S30.

As you can see, both the cameras provide the same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizes. The SD1200 IS features the bigger sensor which is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier. The more aged SD1200 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon S30 sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon S30 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon S30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Portrait photography information
Nikon S30 Portrait photography information
25
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
25
provides face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Street photography details
Nikon S30 Street photography details
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
51
weather proofing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (214g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S30 as a Sports photography camera
24
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
29
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
weather proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.5 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Travel photography with Nikon S30
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
52
weather proofing
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (214 grams)
low megapixels (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Landscape photography features
Nikon S30 Landscape photography features
27
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
26
weather proofing
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
small sensor size (1/3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S30 as a Vlogging camera
28
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have microphone jack
23
provides face detection autofocus
wide angle not great (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than competitors in class (214 grams)
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon S30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Nikon S30
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISNikon Coolpix S30
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Nikon Coolpix S30
Alternate name Digital IXUS 95 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-02-18 2012-02-01
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 4.8 x 3.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 17.3mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-105mm (3.0x) 29-87mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 7.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.5fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m -
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off 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
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 160 grams (0.35 lb) 214 grams (0.47 lb)
Physical dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 260 pictures 240 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery model NB-6L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $250 $119