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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
39
Overall
37

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 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
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 95 IS
Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS7
Photography Glossary

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS8, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and ZS8 (14MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD1200 IS was announced 3 years prior to the ZS8 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SD1200 IS matches up against the ZS8 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Panasonic ZS8

 SD1200 IS ZS8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Canon SD1200 IS

 ZS8 SD1200 IS 
LaunchedJuly 2011February 2009Newer by 29 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic ZS8

 SD1200 IS ZS8 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SD1200 IS has got outer 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 ZS8 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the SD1200 IS against the ZS8.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD1200 IS and ZS8 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by checking specifications. The pic below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD1200 IS and ZS8.

To sum up, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS8 to give greater detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged SD1200 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS8
24
has face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
29
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS8 Street photography highlights
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography features
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
46
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS8
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
no Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography highlights
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
43
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging information
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
30
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone jack
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic ZS8
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 95 IS Lumix DMC-TZ18
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-02-18 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine FHD
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 10MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-105mm (3.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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 file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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 lb) 210 gr (0.46 lb)
Physical dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 340 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $250 $275