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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic GF5

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
49
Features
54
Overall
51

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic GF5 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
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 95 IS
Panasonic GF5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Superseded the Panasonic GF3
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF6
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic GF5 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic GF5, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and the GF5 (12MP) is very close but the SD1200 IS (1/2.3") and GF5 (Four Thirds) possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The SD1200 IS was announced 4 years before the GF5 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Canon SD1200 IS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GF5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SD1200 IS grades vs the GF5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Panasonic GF5

 SD1200 IS GF5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Canon SD1200 IS

 GF5 SD1200 IS 
RevealedApril 2012February 2009More modern by 38 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic GF5

 SD1200 IS GF5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic GF5 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD1200 IS comes with external 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) and the Panasonic GF5 has dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs).

Examine the Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic GF5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the SD1200 IS versus the GF5.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic GF5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SD1200 IS and GF5 is 95 and 89 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic GF5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic GF5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes only by looking through a spec sheet. The pic below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SD1200 IS and GF5.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SD1200 IS with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic GF5 will result in extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged SD1200 IS will be behind in sensor tech.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic GF5 sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GF5 as a Portrait photography camera
25
includes face detect focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
56
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Street photography advice
Panasonic GF5 Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
70
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
features focus by touch
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GF5 Sports photography highlights
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
41
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic GF5
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
61
features focus by touch
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GF5 as a Landscape photography camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5")
lack of manual mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
59
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Vlogging advice
Panasonic GF5 Vlogging advice
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have microphone socket
32
touchscreen functionality
comes with face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic jack
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic GF5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic GF5
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
Also called Digital IXUS 95 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-02-18 2012-04-05
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 160
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 35-105mm (3.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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) 267g (0.59 lbs)
Dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 50
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 573
Other
Battery life 260 shots 360 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $250 $600