Canon EOS 1200D – The Perfect Camera for Amateur Photographers

The Canon EOS 1200D is an affordable and easy-to-use DSLR camera that offers great image quality and performance. With its high-resolution sensor, full manual control, and comprehensive video capabilities, it's the perfect choice for amateur photographers looking to take their skills to the next level.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Canon EOS 1200D article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 12 2014

Announced

18 megapixels

Resolution

BrandCanon
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight480g
MSRP$549USD

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Overview of the EOS 1200D

If you're an amateur photographer looking for your first DSLR camera, the Canon EOS 1200D is a great choice to consider. This entry-level camera offers a range of features and specifications that are ideal for those new to photography and eager to learn. At the heart of the Canon EOS 1200D is a high-resolution 18-megapixel APS-C sensor, which delivers impressive image quality and beautiful colors. It also features a range of manual controls, so you can take full control over your images and adjust settings such as shutter speed, aperture, and ISO to suit your style and preferences. But the Canon EOS 1200D isn't just about still photography. It also offers video capabilities, allowing you to capture high-quality video footage that's perfect for sharing online or creating your own home movies. Overall, the Canon EOS 1200D is a fantastic camera that's easy to use and offers exceptional value for money. So whether you're looking to experiment with new creative techniques or simply want to capture some beautiful memories, this camera is sure to meet your needs.

Canon EOS 1200D Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Canon EOS 1200D camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High resolution image quality
Good low light performance
Easy to use interface for beginners
Lightweight and portable
Affordable price point

Cons

Limited autofocus points
Slow continuous shooting speed
No built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity
Basic video capabilities
No touch screen display

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Canon EOS 1200D

Weather sealed
Dimensions130 x 100 x 78mm
Weight480g
Thickness78mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Canon EOS 1200D is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderOptical (pentamirror)
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution460k dots
Body typeCompact SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 460k dots. This makes the Canon EOS 1200D not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

EOS 1200D includes a optical (pentamirror) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 95% and a magnification of 0.5x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Canon EOS 1200D has a 18MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 18 pixels. Canon EOS 1200D has a native ISO range of 100 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - 12800. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Feb 12 2014

Announced

100 - 6400

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - 12800
Max resolution5184 x 3456 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

63 / 102

Color Depth

21.9 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

11.3 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

724 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Canon EOS 1200D camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the EOS 1200D is below average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1.6x

Full frame equivalent

38.400000000000006mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC card
Battery Life500 shots
Battery ModelLP-E10
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Canon EOS 1200D supports SD/SDHC/SDXC card with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Canon EOS 1200D uses the LP-E10 model of battery pack. This is rated for 500 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Canon EOS 1200D has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Canon EOS 1200D boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Canon EOS 1200D includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 9 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Canon EOS 1200D?

The Canon EOS 1200D features a CMOS sensor

Is the Canon EOS 1200D weather sealed?

No the EOS 1200D does not have weather sealing.

When was the Canon EOS 1200D announced?

The Canon EOS 1200D was announced on Feb 12 2014

Does the Canon EOS 1200D have in-body image stabilization?

No the EOS 1200D does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Canon EOS 1200D?

The EOS 1200D has a native ISO range of 100-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-12800 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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