• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1000.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SD1200 IS advantages over Nikon P520

  • Less expensive
    $230 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.69 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 260 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 101 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    120g vs 550g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon P520 advantages over Canon SD1200 IS

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,000 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 1.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung L210

Canon SD1200 IS
Samsung L210
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $99
  • 1/2.33 inch
Nikon P520
Samsung L210
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $99
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Samsung NV40

Canon SD1200 IS
Samsung NV40
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.33 inch
Nikon P520
Samsung NV40
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $329
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon S520

Canon SD1200 IS
Nikon S520
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $162
  • 1/2.5 inch
Nikon P520
Nikon S520
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $162
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon P510

Canon SD1200 IS
Nikon P510
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon P520
Nikon P510
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher extended ISO

Compared to Nikon P530

Canon SD1200 IS
Nikon P530
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
Nikon P520
Nikon P530
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video
Compare Other Cameras?