Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S3
95 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26


96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs
(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
- Released February 2009
- Other Name is Digital IXUS 95 IS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Introduced January 2011

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S3 Overview
Following is a detailed comparison of the Canon SD1200 IS versus Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and S3 (14MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SD1200 IS was announced 22 months before the S3 making them a generation away from one another. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SD1200 IS grades against the S3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S3 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SD1200 IS Gallery and Panasonic S3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Panasonic S3
SD1200 IS | S3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Canon SD1200 IS
S3 | SD1200 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 22 months |
Display size | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic S3
SD1200 IS | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch friendly display |
Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SD1200 IS offers exterior measurements of 86mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Check out the Canon SD1200 IS versus Panasonic S3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SD1200 IS versus the S3.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD1200 IS and S3 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is very tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes just by checking out a spec sheet. The pic below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SD1200 IS and S3.
Clearly, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic S3 to produce extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SD1200 IS will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic S3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 |
Otherwise known as | Digital IXUS 95 IS | - |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2009-02-18 | 2011-01-05 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Venus Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
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 focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 35-105mm (3.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-4.9 | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focus range | 3cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.5" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (tunnel) | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1500s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 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 | ||
AE 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 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 160 gr (0.35 lb) | 117 gr (0.26 lb) |
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 All around 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 shots | 250 shots |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 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 |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $250 | $110 |