Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S1
95 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26


96 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29
Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs
(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
- Announced February 2009
- Also Known as Digital IXUS 95 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Introduced January 2011

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S1 Overview
The following is a thorough assessment of the Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and the S1 (12MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SD1200 IS was unveiled 22 months before the S1 making them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SD1200 IS scores against the S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S1 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1. The full galleries are provided at Canon SD1200 IS Gallery & Panasonic S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Panasonic S1
SD1200 IS | S1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Canon SD1200 IS
S1 | SD1200 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 22 months |
Display dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic S1
SD1200 IS | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch display |
Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to travel with your camera, you need to consider its weight and size. The Canon SD1200 IS offers 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) whilst the Panasonic S1 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
See the Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the SD1200 IS against the S1.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD1200 IS and S1 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions just by seeing specifications. The pic underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD1200 IS and S1.
To sum up, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic S1 to provide more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged SD1200 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 |
Also Known as | Digital IXUS 95 IS | - |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2009-02-18 | 2011-01-05 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Venus Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 35-105mm (3.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-4.9 | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.5 inches | 2.7 inches |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (tunnel) | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1500s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 3.30 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
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 | 160 gr (0.35 pounds) | 117 gr (0.26 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 shots | 240 shots |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $250 | $269 |