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Nikon S1200pj

 
Nikon Coolpix S1200pj front
 
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.8) lens
  • 186g - 107 x 64 x 23mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Nikon S1200pj overview

Nikon S1200pj is Nikon's Ultracompact camera initially released on August of 2011. The camera uses a 14MP, CCD 1/2.3" sized sensor and has a peak resolution of 4320 x 3240.

The S1200pj is rated #68 out of 151 in Ultracompact cameras & all round #1031 out of 1465 for cameras in our collection. You can try out our Advanced camera search to see camera results based on your custom factors.

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Here is a diagram of different criteria used in the scoring system.

Nikon S1200pj family

The Nikon S1200pj has a history of related cameras. Down below, you can see all previous and brand new models alongside main specifications.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Nikon-Coolpix-S7000 front thumbnailNikon S7000
S1200pj vs S7000
25-500mm
F3.4-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2015
Nikon-Coolpix-S6900 front thumbnailNikon S6900
S1200pj vs S6900
25-300mm
F3.3-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2015
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Nikon-Coolpix-S2900 front thumbnailNikon S2900
S1200pj vs S2900
26-130mm
F3.2-6.5
20MP1/2.3"2015
Nikon-Coolpix-S3700 front thumbnailNikon S3700
S1200pj vs S3700
25-200mm
F3.7-6.6
20MP1/2.3"2015
Nikon-Coolpix-S6400 front thumbnailNikon S6400
S1200pj vs S6400
25-300mm
F3.1-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2012
Nikon-Coolpix-S1200pj front thumbnailNikon S1200pj28-140mm
F3.9-5.8
14MP1/2.3"2011
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Nikon-Coolpix-S4100 front thumbnailNikon S4100
S1200pj vs S4100
26-130mm
F3.2-6.5
14MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S3100 front thumbnailNikon S3100
S1200pj vs S3100
26-130mm
F3.2-6.5
14MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S80 front thumbnailNikon S80
S1200pj vs S80
35-175mm
F3.6-4.8
14MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S1100pj front thumbnailNikon S1100pj
S1200pj vs S1100pj
28-140mm
F3.9-5.8
14MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S4000 front thumbnailNikon S4000
S1200pj vs S4000
27-108mm
F3.2-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2010
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Nikon-Coolpix-S3000 front thumbnailNikon S3000
S1200pj vs S3000
27-108mm
F3.2-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S70 front thumbnailNikon S70
S1200pj vs S70
28-140mm
F3.9-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S220 front thumbnailNikon S220
S1200pj vs S220
35-105mm
F3.1-5.9
10MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S230 front thumbnailNikon S230
S1200pj vs S230
35-105mm
F3.1-5.9
10MP1/2.3"2009

Nikon S1200pj Pros and Cons

Below is a list of benefits and drawbacks of the Nikon S1200pj based on things that are oftentimes seen as essential in a camera.

built in image stabilization (Optical)
fairly wide (28mm)
good MP (14MP)
good zoom range (28-140mm 5.0 x zoom)
great min ISO (80)
has built in flash
has touchscreen
screen is a good size (3 inches)
continuous shooting slow (0.8 frames per second)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have HDMI out
doesn't have headphone support
doesn't have mic support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
external flash not possible
focusing manually not possible
has no phase detect autofocus
has no RAW files
heavier than competitors (186 grams)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
manual exposure not possible
max zoom aperture not good (f5.8)
no aperture priority mode
no articulating screen
no shutter priority mode
screen has low resolution (460 k dots)
small sensor (1/2.3")
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
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Nikon S1200pj Sensor specifications

The sensor specification on the Nikon S1200pj is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the capability to resolve 4320 x 3240 pixels at aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9. The camera features Image Stabilization (Optical). In body stabilization is preferable than digital stabilization since the latter can cause cropping.

Photography Glossary

The CCD sensor has 14MP and supports a native ISO range of 80 to 1600. This ISO can be expanded electronically to a high of 6400. Sadly, RAW format is not saved therefore the user has less room to maneuver in post.

The picture below shows the S1200pj's sensor dimensions compared to other common sizes. The S1200pj sensor has a crop factor of 5.8 and is shown in green.

Nikon Coolpix S1200pj sensor size Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

To get an idea of specific aspect ratios, you can refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Nikon S1200pj dimensions

Nikon S1200pj is 0.41 pounds (186 grams or 6.56 oz) & has outside dimensions of 107mm x 64mm x 23mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 0.9"). The weight of general Ultracompact camera is 121 grams and the Nikon S1200pj is more heavy compared with other competitors.

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Listed below is a visual of the Nikon S1200pj beside a soft drink so you're able to get a sense of its scale.

Nikon Coolpix S1200pj dimensions scale

The top view directly below will illustrate the button layout on the S1200pj.

Nikon Coolpix S1200pj topview buttons dials

Nikon S1200pj Lens specifications

The S1200pj houses a built in lens and a focal range of 28-140mm making it a 5.0 x zoom which is not at all huge however it might be convenient in a few cases.

At the widest 28mm, it features an aperture of f3.9 which will be kind of slow and not great for low light conditions and you will probably struggle to get a shallow depth of field. You will likely also have to boost the ISO setting leading to noisy pictures. On the tele end, 140mm comes to f5.8 which is really slow and you might need to choose slow shutter speeds.

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Nikon S1200pj Connectivity

The S1200pj has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Cameras with NFC and Bluetooth compatibility are able to be controlled wirelessly by smartphones. You can easily send photos and in some cases change settings with no need to connect straight to the camera.

A few applications even enable a Liveview and press the shutter if you aren't near the camera. If the camera features a HDMI port, it can easily be connected to an external monitor. Nearly all cameras will allow you to recharge the battery using the USB socket.

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Nikon S1200pj Video specifications

The highest video quality on the Nikon S1200pj is 1280 x 720 and you can capture in H.264 format. 720p is low for today's standards. You really should go for at least FUll HD quality for good video. The camera doesn't include a microphone and headphone port which means that you get no control over the sound. It is perhaps a better idea to look into an alternative camera if you require decent sound for your video clips.

Photography Glossary

Nikon S1200pj Weather Sealing

There is no weather sealing for the Nikon S1200pj so you need to be cautious in rainy and dusty conditions.

Nikon S1200pj Display and Viewfinder

The Nikon S1200pj houses a 3" fixed display screen boasting a resolution of 460k dots.

Additionally the display screen is touch friendly which means you can adjust focus point plus adjust settings by using your finger.

Nikon Coolpix S1200pj screen and viewfinder Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The ViewFinder specifications for Nikon S1200pj are below:

  • ViewFinder None

For bright outdoor conditions which make the camera screens washed out and tough to see, viewfinders can be pretty helpful.

Nikon S1200pj Shutter specifications

Nikon S1200pj continuous shooting speed is 0.8 frames per second. The maximum shutter speed is 1/1500 sec.

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Nikon S1200pj Flash and Hot shoe specifications

Nikon S1200pj features only built-in flash lacking external flash ability.

Nikon S1200pj Autofocus specifications

Nikon S1200pj features just Contrast Based AF & doesn't have Phase Detect AF. Phase Detection focusing is a lot quicker and exact compared with Contrast Based focusing.

It boasts 9 focus points to pick from. Nikon S1200pj doesn't have manual focusing. Manual focusing can be useful in low light scenarios or you need to have more precise control on focus.

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Nikon S1200pj Battery life

The typical Ultracompact camera battery life is 214. Nikon L32 features the highest (320) battery life in this type of cameras.

Following is a number of Ultracompact cameras which have the best battery life:

Nikon S1200pj for different forms of photography

The following bar chart shows a summation of the Nikon S1200pj for different forms of photography. To read more, check out the specific section below.

Nikon S1200pj Portrait photography details

The Nikon S1200pj gets a points tally of 28 which is low, and means the camera is just not good for portrait photography. Shooting portraits leans greatly towards sensor specs, support for RAW photos in addition to the option to use external flash.

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megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files

Nikon S1200pj Street photography advice

Getting a average points total of 54, the Nikon S1200pj is somewhat suitable for street photography. A very good street photography camera comes with a fine balance of image quality and portability.

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has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than others (186g)

Nikon S1200pj Sports photography features

A low sports photography points tally of 35 suggests the Nikon S1200pj is just not good for photographing sports. A camera should have excellent autofocus plus continuous shooting for sports photography.

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image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (0.8 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF

Nikon S1200pj Travel photography features

Weight is pretty crucial in buying a camera for travel. Over-all, the Nikon S1200pj gets a very good 61 for a travel camera which makes it a respectable fit to purchase for your trips.

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resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than others (186g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)

Nikon S1200pj Landscape photography features

When you are planning to choose a digital camera for landscape photography, the most critical factor will be image quality. The Nikon S1200pj with it's low score of 42 as a landscape camera is just not good among it's rivals.

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rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function

Nikon S1200pj Vlogging factors

A camera for vlogging ought to offer a articulating display screen, microphone input and if possible image stabilization. Considering all things, the Nikon S1200pj is just not good for vlogging as it gets a low score of 29.

Photography Glossary
relatively wide (28mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (186g)

Nikon S1200pj Alternatives

If you want alternatives to the S1200pj, below is a selection of the highest ranked cameras that fall in to the family of Ultracompact.

The graph below provides you an overview of the S1200pj compared to it's top ranked competitors suggested above.

These are various other cameras you may look at as alternative options. To look at a comprehensive comparison, click the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Company
Nikon
Model type
Nikon Coolpix S1200pj
Class
Ultracompact
Announced
2011-08-24
Physical type
Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution
4320 x 3240
RAW pictures
Highest native ISO
1600
Highest boosted ISO
6400
Min native ISO
80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points
9
Lens
Lens mount type
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture
f/3.9-5.8
Macro focusing distance
3cm
Focal length multiplier
5.8
Screen
Display type
Fixed Type
Display sizing
3 inches
Resolution of display
460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
None
DXO scores
DXO All around rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Lowest shutter speed
4s
Highest shutter speed
1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate
0.8 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance
3.50 m
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions
1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30,15 fps)
Highest video resolution
1280x720
Video file format
H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
186 gr (0.41 lbs)
Dimensions
107 x 64 x 23mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 0.9")
Other
Battery ID
EN-EL12
Self timer
Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage
SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots
1
Cost at launch
$499