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Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax S1

Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax S1 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 95 IS
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax S1 Overview

The following is a complete assessment of the Canon SD1200 IS versus Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and S1 (14MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD1200 IS was manufactured 24 months earlier than the S1 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the SD1200 IS grades against the S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Pentax S1

 SD1200 IS S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Canon SD1200 IS

 S1 SD1200 IS 
LaunchedMarch 2011February 2009Newer by 24 months
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Pentax S1

 SD1200 IS S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SD1200 IS has got outside measurements 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 Pentax S1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD1200 IS versus Pentax S1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the SD1200 IS compared to the S1.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SD1200 IS and S1 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to picture the gap in sensor dimensions just by seeing technical specs. The picture below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD1200 IS and S1.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can count on the Pentax S1 to provide extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged SD1200 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Portrait photography with Pentax S1
24
provides face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
has manual focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Sports photography info
Pentax S1 Sports photography info
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
39
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
resolution not great (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
64
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Landscape photography factors
Pentax S1 Landscape photography factors
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5")
lack of manual exposure
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
41
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD1200 IS
Vlogging with Pentax S1
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
28
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Pentax S1
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISPentax Optio S1
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Pentax Optio S1
Also called Digital IXUS 95 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-02-18 2011-03-02
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-105mm (3.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 grams (0.35 pounds) 157 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 260 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $250 $174