Updated (January, 2011): Compare the Canon PowerShot A3300 IS vs Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS

Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS

48

Reasons to buy the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS

Size
Really small
Super compact 86x55x22 mm
Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Lens
Weight
Light-weight
120 g
Viewfinder
Great viewfinder
Tunnel
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS

43

Reasons to buy the Canon PowerShot A3100 IS

Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Lens
Shutter lag
Barely any delay taking photos
390 ms shutter lag

differences

Advantages of the Canon A3100 IS

Screen size Larger screen 2.7" vs 2.5"
Help
Around 10% larger screen
Aperture Slightly wider aperture f/2.7 vs f/2.8
Help
At its widest zoom, the A3100 IS's lens captures marginally more light (0.1 f-stops)
Fastest shutter speed Faster max shutter speed 1/1600s vs 1/1500s
Help
Around 10% faster max shutter speed
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Learn more about
the Canon A3100 IS

Advantages of the Canon SD1200 IS

Size Significantly smaller 86x55x22 mm vs 97x58x28 mm
Help
More than 30% smaller
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Tunnel vs None
Help
A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Weight Significantly lighter 120 g vs 165 g
Help
Around 30% lighter
Thickness Thinner 0.9" vs 1.1"
Help
More than 20% thinner
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Learn more about
the Canon SD1200 IS
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent compacts, and ignoring price

Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot A3100 IS
43 vs 48
Explain scores
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

CanonPowerShot A3100 IS
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS vs Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS
CanonPowerShot SD1200 IS
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
0
0
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
0
0
Vote Vote
Features Low light image quality Low light image quality
Lack of noise, sharp details
0
0
Vote Vote
Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
0
0
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
0
0
Vote Vote
Autofocus performance Video focusing
Speed and accuracy
0
0
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
0
0
Vote Vote
Performance Image stabilization
Ability to reduce blur from hand shake
0
0
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent compacts

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Aperture Wide aperture Help
A3100 IS:f/2.7
SD1200 IS:f/2.8
Image stabilization Good image stabilization Help
Lens
Macro focus Good macro capabilities Help
3 cm
Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
A3100 IS:1/1600s
SD1200 IS:1/1500s
Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
Lacks boost light sensitivity
Wide angle Poor wide angle Help
35 mm
Sensor type Lower-end sensor types Help
CCD
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
1,600 ISO
Movie format Movie support Help
480p @ 30fps
Screen size Very small screens Help
A3100 IS:2.7"
SD1200 IS:2.5"
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons
Zoom Poor zoom Help
A3100 IS:4x
SD1200 IS:3x

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS

Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS

Compact

$178

Wide angle Has a much wider wide angle lens
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost light sensitivity
Weight Is slightly heavier
Canon ELPH 100 HS

Canon ELPH 100 HS

Compact

$100 - $189

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Wide angle Has a much wider wide angle lens
Weight Is slightly heavier
Canon ELPH 300 HS

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Compact

$130 - $233

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Wide angle Has a much wider wide angle lens
Weight Is slightly heavier
Nikon Coolpix S3100

Nikon Coolpix S3100

Ultra compact

$77 - $80

Movie format Records lower quality movies
Wide angle Has a much wider wide angle lens
Longest exposure Slightly shorter exposures
Macro focus Much worse macro focusing
Canon PowerShot A3300 IS

Canon PowerShot A3300 IS

Compact

$97 - $103

Movie format Records lower quality movies
Wide angle Has a much wider wide angle lens
Weight Is slightly heavier
Shutter lag Has much more shutter lag
Canon Powershot S100

Canon Powershot S100

Pro digicam

$414 - $430

Aperture Has a significantly wider aperture
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Canon PowerShot A3000 IS

Canon PowerShot A3000 IS

Compact

$149

Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier

Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon PowerShot A2200

Canon PowerShot A2200

Compact

$79 - $142

Wide angle Much better wide angle
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Aperture Slightly narrower aperture
Canon PowerShot A3200 IS

Canon PowerShot A3200 IS

Compact

$138 - $207

Wide angle Much better wide angle
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Aperture Slightly narrower aperture
Shutter lag Slightly more shutter lag
Nikon Coolpix S640

Nikon Coolpix S640

Compact

$166

Wide angle Much better wide angle
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
True resolution Slightly lower true resolution

Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon PowerShot SD780 IS

Canon PowerShot SD780 IS

Ultra compact

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Wide angle Better wide angle
Aperture Narrower aperture
Weight Heavier
Canon ELPH 310 HS

Canon ELPH 310 HS

Travel zoom

$194 - $199

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Wide angle Much better wide angle
Aperture Narrower aperture
Size Larger
Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS

Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS

Compact

Wide angle Much better wide angle
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Viewfinder No viewfinder
True resolution Slightly lower true resolution

appearance

Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS

Find similar cameras

Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these cameras here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 0 comments