Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon S800c

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Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon S800c

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

Go in depth with our full Canon SD1200 IS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SD1200 IS.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
16.0 megapixels
25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Nikon S800c Review.
See real-world photos taken with the S800c.

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Differences

Canon SD1200 IS advantages over Nikon S800c

Less expensive
$230 vs $350 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 1.69 vs 1.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.50 vs 2.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

260 vs 140 shots
Capture more photos
Lighter weight
120g vs 183g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
15 vs 4 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 3 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon S800c advantages over Canon SD1200 IS

Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
More telephoto lens reach
250 mm vs 105 mm
Capture objects farther away
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
820k 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
Less shutter lag
0.19 vs 0.50 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
16.0 vs 10.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Wider angle lens
25 mm vs 35 mm
Capture more of the scene
Faster JPEG shooting
8.0 fps vs 1.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/1500 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Neither provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Manual focus
Neither provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Canon SD1200 IS

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Buy the Nikon S800c

Nikon S800c

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon SD1200 IS Express Review

Compact body; Powerful zoom lens; Fast autofocus; Generous internal memory; Android operating system; Huge selection of available apps.
Strong division between camera, Android features; Lens defects at wide and tele; Issues with stability; Display hard to see outdoors; Poor battery life; Very limited burst shooting depth.
Read our Nikon S800c Express Review

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

Compare Canon SD1200 IS vs Samsung L210

Nikon S800c

Samsung L210

$280
1/2.3 inch

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

$99
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S800c vs Samsung L210

Compared to Samsung NV40

Canon SD1200 IS

Samsung NV40

$230
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$329
1/2.33 inch

Compare Canon SD1200 IS vs Samsung NV40

Nikon S800c

Samsung NV40

$280
1/2.3 inch

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

$329
1/2.33 inch

Bigger pixels
Thinner

Compare Nikon S800c vs Samsung NV40

Compared to Nikon S520

Canon SD1200 IS

Nikon S520

$230
1/2.3 inch

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$162
1/2.5 inch

Compare Canon SD1200 IS vs Nikon S520

Nikon S800c

Nikon S520

$280
1/2.3 inch

Larger sensor
Touchscreen

$162
1/2.5 inch

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S800c vs Nikon S520

Compared to Pentax RZ10

Canon SD1200 IS

Pentax RZ10

$230
1/2.3 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

$177
1/2.3 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Manual focus

Compare Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax RZ10

Nikon S800c

Pentax RZ10

$280
1/2.3 inch

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

$177
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S800c vs Pentax RZ10

Compared to Samsung WB50F

Canon SD1200 IS

Samsung WB50F

$230
1/2.3 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

$299
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SD1200 IS vs Samsung WB50F

Nikon S800c

Samsung WB50F

$280
1/2.3 inch

Touchscreen
Built-in GPS

$299
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon S800c vs Samsung WB50F

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