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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S2

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S2 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 S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Canon SD1200 IS versus Panasonic S2, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and S2 (14MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD1200 IS was manufactured 3 years prior to the S2 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the SD1200 IS scores against the S2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Panasonic S2

 SD1200 IS S2 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Canon SD1200 IS

 S2 SD1200 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2012February 2009Fresher by 35 months
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic S2

 SD1200 IS S2 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SD1200 IS has got 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) while the Panasonic S2 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SD1200 IS versus Panasonic S2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SD1200 IS compared to the S2.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SD1200 IS and S2 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing just by checking out specifications. The graphic here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SD1200 IS and S2.

To sum up, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Panasonic S2 to provide more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The older SD1200 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Portrait photography camera
25
supports face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
34
MP count good (14MP)
comes with face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Street photography advice
Panasonic S2 Street photography advice
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Sports photography info
Panasonic S2 Sports photography info
24
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
great battery power (280 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic S2
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
great battery power (280 shots)
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Landscape photography advice
Panasonic S2 Landscape photography advice
27
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
manual mode not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
41
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
great battery power (280 shots)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Vlogging features
Panasonic S2 Vlogging features
28
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of mic port
33
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic S2
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Also called Digital IXUS 95 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-02-18 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-105mm (3.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 grams (0.35 pounds) 112 grams (0.25 pounds)
Dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 images 280 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $250 $109