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Canon A1200

 
Canon PowerShot A1200 front
 
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 185g - 98 x 63 x 31mm
  • Introduced January 2011
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
19
Overall
28

Canon A1200 summary

Canon A1200 is Canon's Small Sensor Compact digital camera first released on January of 2011. It comes with a 12 MegaPixel, CCD 1/2.3" size sensor with a max resolution of 4000 x 3000.

The A1200 ranks at #199 out of 261 in Small Sensor Compact cameras and over-all #1154 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our database. You should try out our Smart camera search to get camera rankings based on your custom factors.

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The following is a diagram of multiple factors used in the rating system.

Canon A1200 history

The Canon A1200 comes with a history of related digital cameras. Listed below, you can look at all older and the latest models as well as main specifications.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Canon-PowerShot-A1400 front thumbnailCanon A1400
A1200 vs A1400
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
Canon-PowerShot-A2500 front thumbnailCanon A2500
A1200 vs A2500
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
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Canon-PowerShot-A3500-IS front thumbnailCanon A3500 IS
A1200 vs A3500 IS
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
Canon-PowerShot-A2300 front thumbnailCanon A2300
A1200 vs A2300
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Canon-PowerShot-A2400-IS front thumbnailCanon A2400 IS
A1200 vs A2400 IS
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Canon-PowerShot-A1300 front thumbnailCanon A1300
A1200 vs A1300
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
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Canon-PowerShot-A4000-IS front thumbnailCanon A4000 IS
A1200 vs A4000 IS
28-224mm
F3.0-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Canon-PowerShot-A3400-IS front thumbnailCanon A3400 IS
A1200 vs A3400 IS
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Canon-PowerShot-A810 front thumbnailCanon A810
A1200 vs A810
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Canon-PowerShot-A2200 front thumbnailCanon A2200
A1200 vs A2200
28-112mm
F2.8-5.9
14MP1/2.3"2011
Canon-PowerShot-A3200-IS front thumbnailCanon A3200 IS
A1200 vs A3200 IS
28-140mm
F
14MP1/2.3"2011
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Canon-PowerShot-A3300-IS front thumbnailCanon A3300 IS
A1200 vs A3300 IS
28-140mm
F2.8-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2011
Canon-PowerShot-A1200 front thumbnailCanon A120028-112mm
F2.8-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2011
Canon-PowerShot-A800 front thumbnailCanon A800
A1200 vs A800
37-122mm
F3.0-5.8
10MP1/2.3"2011
Canon-PowerShot-A3000-IS front thumbnailCanon A3000 IS
A1200 vs A3000 IS
35-140mm
F2.7-5.6
10MP1/2.3"2010
Canon-PowerShot-A3100-IS front thumbnailCanon A3100 IS
A1200 vs A3100 IS
35-140mm
F2.7-5.6
12MP1/2.3"2010
Canon-PowerShot-A490 front thumbnailCanon A490
A1200 vs A490
37-122mm
F3.0-5.8
10MP1/2.3"2010
Canon-PowerShot-A495 front thumbnailCanon A495
A1200 vs A495
37-122mm
F3.0-5.8
10MP1/2.3"2010
Canon-PowerShot-A2100-IS front thumbnailCanon A2100 IS
A1200 vs A2100 IS
36-216mm
F3.2-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2009
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Canon-PowerShot-A1100-IS front thumbnailCanon A1100 IS
A1200 vs A1100 IS
35-140mm
F2.7-5.6
12MP1/2.3"2009

Canon A1200 Pros and Cons

Here is a selection of pros and cons of the Canon A1200 based on aspects that are generally considered important in a digital camera.

good minimum ISO (80)
has built in flash
in built zoom lens (28-112mm 4.0 x zoom)
includes face detect focus
includes tracking focus
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have HDMI support
doesn't have headphone jack
doesn't have microphone jack
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
does not have RAW format
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual focus
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
manual mode not available
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no aperture priority
no external flash support
no shutter priority
screen does not articulate
screen has low resolution (230 k dot)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sluggish at full zoom (f5.9)
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Canon A1200 Sensor information

The Canon A1200 features the DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology processor chip. The sensor dimension in the Canon A1200 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor is able to capture 4000 x 3000 pixels with aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9.

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The CCD sensor boasts 12MP and gives a standard ISO range of 80 - 1600. Unfortunately, RAW format is not saved so you have less margin for error.

The image below shows the A1200's sensor size in comparison to other popular sizes. The A1200 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is showcased in green.

Canon PowerShot A1200 sensor size Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

To get a sense of specific aspect ratios, you should refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Canon A1200 dimensions

Canon A1200 weighs 0.41 lb (185 grams or 6.53 ounces) and the size of the camera is 98mm x 63mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2"). The weight of typical Small Sensor Compact camera is 174 grams so the Canon A1200 is very much the same in comparison with various competitors.

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The following is a photo of the Canon A1200 alongside a softdrink so you can have a feel for its size.

Canon PowerShot A1200 dimensions scale

The top view directly below will show the button arrangement on the A1200.

Canon PowerShot A1200 topview buttons dials

Canon A1200 Lens information

The A1200 provides a built-in lens giving a focal range of 28-112mm giving it a 4.0 x zoom which might not be exceptional however it may be helpful in some circumstances.

At it's widest 28mm, the lens offers an aperture of f2.8 making it pretty sluggish and not great in low light occasions and you might struggle to capture good bokeh. You will likely also need to increase your ISO producing noisy photos. With the long end, 112mm comes to f5.9 making it fairly sluggish and you may have to apply slower shutter speeds.

Photography Glossary

Canon A1200 Connectivity

The A1200 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Digital cameras that feature NFC or Bluetooth connectivity can be used wirelessly via smartphones. You are able to transfer files and usually change camera settings without the hassle of connecting physically with the camera.

Certain apps also stream a Liveview and hit the shutter in case you are not close to the camera. If the camera comes with a HDMI out, it can be hooked up to an external screen. A lot of cameras will allow you to charge the battery pack using the USB port.

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Canon A1200 Video information

The max video resolution in the Canon A1200 is 1280 x 720 and it can save in MPEG-4 and H.264 file format. 720p is awful by today's standards. You should really strive for at least FUll HD resolution for video. The body does not have a mic or headphone socket so you have got zero control over your sound. It is probably best to get another camera if you require good sound in your videos.

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Canon A1200 Weather Sealing

There is no environment proofing in the Canon A1200 so you have to be careful in rainy or dusty situations.

Canon A1200 Screen and Viewfinder

The Canon A1200 comes with a 2.7" fixed display screen with a resolution of 230k dots.

Unfortunately the display screen isn't a touch screen.

Canon PowerShot A1200 screen and viewfinder Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The View Finder specifications regarding Canon A1200 are the following:

  • ViewFinder Optical (tunnel)

Viewfinders can be rather helpful during bright outdoor situations which may make the camera screen washed out and difficult to view.

Canon A1200 Shutter information

Canon A1200 is able to shoot continuously at 1.0 frames/s. The maximum shutter speed is 1/1600 sec.

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Canon A1200 Flash and Hot shoe information

Canon A1200 includes just inbuilt flash without external flash support.

Canon A1200 Autofocus information

Canon A1200 includes only Contrast Based Auto Focus and lacks Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection autofocusing is more faster and accurate compared to Contrast Based autofocusing. The camera comes with Face detection which makes it valuable for people photography.

The AF system comes with 9 focus points to select from. It also features Tracking Auto Focus for moving subjects. Canon A1200 has no manual focusing. Manual focusing option is good during low light or you need to have more accurate focus control.

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Canon A1200 Battery life

The battery pack (2 x AA) in the Canon A1200 is designed to last for 200 pictures according to the CIPA standards which is lesser as compared to its rivals. The usual Small Sensor Compact camera battery life is 241. Fujifilm X30 offers the maximum (470) battery life within this group of cameras.

Listed below is a collection of Small Sensor Compact cameras which have the best battery life:

Canon A1200 for specific kinds of photography

The following graph shows a rundown of the Canon A1200 for specific kinds of photography. To find out more, browse to the specific section below.

Canon A1200 Portrait photography features

The Canon A1200 gets a points tally of 26 which is really bad, meaning that it is not really acceptable to use for portrait images. Taking portrait images favors heavily to sensor size, support for RAW files in addition to the capability to utilize off-camera flash.

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features face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support

Canon A1200 Street photography highlights

Getting a decent points total of 46, the Canon A1200 is reasonably appropriate to buy for street photography. A good street photography camera has a good balance of image quality plus portability.

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fixed screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format

Canon A1200 as a Sports photography camera

A really bad sports photography score of 23 suggests the Canon A1200 is not really acceptable for taking pictures of sports. A camera must have good autofocus and fast continuous shooting for sports photography.

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has tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF

Canon A1200 Travel photography advice

Weight is super crucial in picking a travel camera. Over-all, the Canon A1200 gets a reasonable 55 for a travel camera which makes it fairly suited to buy for your vacations.

Photography Glossary
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)

Landscape photography with Canon A1200

For anybody planning to purchase a digital camera for landscape pictures, the most vital factor is going to be image quality. The Canon A1200 at it's really bad grade of 27 for a landscape camera is not really acceptable amongst it's competition.

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really wide (28mm)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode

Canon A1200 Vlogging features

A vlogging camera preferably should have a moving screen, mic port and if possible image stabilization. Taking everything into account, the Canon A1200 is not really acceptable as a vlog camera as it receives a really bad rating of 27.

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reasonably wide (28mm)
offers face detection focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic port

Canon A1200 Alternatives

If you are in the market for replacements to the A1200, here is a collection of the highest scored cameras which fall into the category of Small Sensor Compact.

The chart underneath gives you an overview of the A1200 vs it's highest scoring competitors suggested above.

There are more cameras you might see as alternative options. To go through a extensive comparison, simply click the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Brand
Canon
Model type
Canon PowerShot A1200
Class
Small Sensor Compact
Introduced
2011-01-05
Body design
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Processor Chip
DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor measurements
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution
4000 x 3000
RAW format
Highest native ISO
1600
Min native ISO
80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points
9
Lens
Lens support
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture
f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range
3cm
Focal length multiplier
5.8
Screen
Screen type
Fixed Type
Screen sizing
2.7 inch
Resolution of screen
230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech
TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type
Optical (tunnel)
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Min shutter speed
15 secs
Max shutter speed
1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed
1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance
4.00 m
Flash modes
Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions
1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution
1280x720
Video file format
MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
185 gr (0.41 lbs)
Dimensions
98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2")
Other
Battery life
200 images
Battery format
AA
Battery ID
2 x AA
Self timer
Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage
SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus
Storage slots
1
Launch cost
$109