Canon A1200 Review

Canon PowerShot A1200 Overview

Posted: 01/05/2011

The Canon PowerShot A1200 is based around a 12.1-megapixel, 1/2.3"-type CCD image sensor coupled to a 4x optical zoom lens that offers focal lengths ranging from a useful 28mm wide angle to a moderate 112mm telephoto. Maximum aperture varies from f/2.8 to f/5.9 across the zoom range. The Canon A1200 includes an optical viewfinder, an increasingly rare but useful feature in bright light or when batteries are running low. The A1200's 2.7-inch LCD monitor has a resolution of 230,000 dots (~76,800 pixels, with three dots per pixel).

The Canon A1200's sensor allows sensitivities ranging from ISO 80 to ISO 1,600 equivalents. Exposures are determined using Evaluative, Center-weighted Average or Spot metering, and direct control of shutter speed or aperture isn't possible on this camera (except for a "Long Shutter" mode which lets you choose shutter speeds between 1 and 15 seconds). 2.0EV of exposure compensation is available, in 1/3EV increments. Seven white balance modes are available on the Canon A1200 - Auto, Manual, or five presets. The PowerShot A1200's built-in flash strobe has a range of 13 feet at wide angle, dropping to 6.6 feet at telephoto, and recharges in around twelve seconds.

The PowerShot A1200 offers Canon's Smart Auto mode, which intelligently selects optimal settings automatically for you, based on 32 predefined shooting situations. Eleven manually selected scene modes are also available, and the camera includes Creative Filters such as Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid and Poster Effect. A new Discreet mode disables the the camera's sound, flash and AF assist beam for shooting in quiet situations.

As well as still images, the PowerShot A1200 can capture video clips at 720p HD resolution (1280x720 pixels) at 24 frames-per-second, a first for the Canon A-series. VGA (640x480) and QVGA (320x240) resolutions at 30 frames-per-second are also available. Miniature Effect is available during moves, which drops the frame rate to as low as 1.5 fps. The Canon PowerShot A1200 stores images on SD / SDHC / SDXC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus cards, and draws power from two AA batteries. Battery life is rated at 200 shots on a charge, to CIPA testing standards using Alkaline batteries. Connectivity options include USB 2.0 high-speed data and NTSC / PAL standard definition video.

The Canon PowerShot A1200 ships from early March 2011, priced at around US$110. Available colors are black and silver.

Similar to the A1200 but smaller lighter larger sensor cheaper But ...

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Nikon W300

$386.95 (74% more)

16 MP (24% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

12% larger

5x zoom (20% more)

A1200 vs W300

Canon 190 IS

$189.00 (46% more)

2 MP (39% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

46% smaller

1x zoom (60% more)

A1200 vs 190 IS

Canon 180

$166.98 (39% more)

2 MP (39% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

64% smaller

8x zoom (50% more)

A1200 vs 180

Nikon W100

$156.95 (35% more)

13.2 MP (8% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

33% larger

3x zoom (33% less)

A1200 vs W100

Sony W830

$128.00 (21% more)

20.1 MP (40% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

71% smaller

8x zoom (50% more)

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Ricoh WG-50

$232.95 (57% more)

16 MP (24% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

16% larger

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Ricoh WG-80

$0.00

16 MP (24% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

16% larger

5x zoom (20% more)

A1200 vs WG-80

Ricoh WG-6

$336.95 (70% more)

20.2 MP (40% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

27% larger

5x zoom (20% more)

A1200 vs WG-6

Fujifilm XP120

$119.00 (15% more)

16.4 MP (26% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

14% larger

5x zoom (20% more)

A1200 vs XP120

Canon SX620 HS

$319.00 (68% more)

20.2 MP (40% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

22% smaller

25x zoom (84% more)

A1200 vs SX620 HS

Panasonic TS30

$168.50 (40% more)

16.1 MP (25% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

57% smaller

4x zoom

A1200 vs TS30

Fujifilm XP130

$109.00 (7% more)

16.4 MP (26% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

14% larger

5x zoom (20% more)

A1200 vs XP130

Panasonic ZS100

$497.99 (80% more)

20.1 MP (40% more)

Has viewfinder

41% larger

1x zoom (60% more)

A1200 vs ZS100

Canon 360 HS

$346.00 (71% more)

20.2 MP (40% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

42% smaller

12x zoom (67% more)

A1200 vs 360 HS

Nikon A300

$136.95 (26% more)

20.1 MP (40% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

67% smaller

8x zoom (50% more)

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Sony WX350

$288.00 (65% more)

18.2 MP (34% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

38% smaller

2x zoom (80% more)

A1200 vs WX350

Fujifilm XP140

$229.00 (56% more)

16.4 MP (26% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

14% larger

5x zoom (20% more)

A1200 vs XP140

Ricoh G900

$796.95 (87% more)

20.2 MP (40% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

27% larger

5x zoom (20% more)

A1200 vs G900

Sony RX100 VI

$948.50 (89% more)

20.1 MP (40% more)

Has viewfinder

26% larger

8x zoom (50% more)

A1200 vs RX100 VI

Olympus TG-5

$399.00 (75% more)

12 MP

Also lacks viewfinder

21% larger

4x zoom

A1200 vs TG-5

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