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Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Canon SD1200 IS
(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
  • Released February 2009
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 95 IS
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Launched July 2013
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Canon SD1200 IS and Pentax MX-1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is very close but the SD1200 IS (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") provide different sensor size.

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The SD1200 IS was manufactured 5 years earlier than the MX-1 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SD1200 IS grades versus the MX-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Pentax MX-1

 SD1200 IS MX-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Canon SD1200 IS

 MX-1 SD1200 IS 
LaunchedJuly 2013February 2009More modern by 53 months
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Pentax MX-1

 SD1200 IS MX-1 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SD1200 IS enjoys outer dimensions of 86mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax MX-1 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Check the Canon SD1200 IS and Pentax MX-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SD1200 IS compared to the MX-1.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SD1200 IS and MX-1 is 95 and 84 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through specs. The image underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD1200 IS and MX-1.

All in all, both cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SD1200 IS featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax MX-1 will result in more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SD1200 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Portrait photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography highlights
25
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
42
you can focus manually
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Street photography with Pentax MX-1
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
65
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
heavier than competition in class (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Sports photography details
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography details
24
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
great battery pack (290 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Travel photography information
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography information
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
61
great battery pack (290 shots)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (391g)
MP count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Landscape photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
manual mode not possible
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
55
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (290 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Vlogging information
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging information
28
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
missing mic jack
heavier than competition in class (391g)
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Pentax MX-1
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISPentax MX-1
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Pentax MX-1
Also Known as Digital IXUS 95 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-02-18 2013-07-01
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-105mm (3.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1500s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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) 391g (0.86 lbs)
Physical dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 49
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 208
Other
Battery life 260 photos 290 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $250 $400