Canon EOS 1200D DSLR

Overall Review

Canon EOS 1200D comes with an 18 megapixels CMOS sensor combined with DIGIC 4 image processor. The camera produces better and acceptable images in low light settings and its ISO range covers from ISO 100 to ISO 6400 with an extension that can reach up to ISO 12800. The exterior of the camera has seen upgrades over its predecessors and has brought notable convenience to the shutterbugs in the form of thumbrest and handgrip. The camera has a 9-point AF system with one cross-type autofocus point at centre and the burst mode is 3fps continuous, which means the camera can catch up to 69JPEGs or 6 RAWs non-stop. At the rear, you can enjoy by using the viewfinder and the 3 inches wide (diagonally) LCD with a resolution of 460k dots.

This camera is also known as Rebel T5 and like other rebel cameras, also features a wide variety of scene modes that are seemingly creative with special effects (for both videos and stills) like miniature, fisheye, toy cam etc. T5 also proves to be of help to the new shutterbugs with its shoot mode guides that explain features and settings and photo retouching and editing guides to aid in adding effects and other tweaks like post-processing of images within camera. Coming to videos, the camera has the ability to shoot videos at full HD resolution, 1080p with frame rates of 24fps, 25fps and 30fps. It can also shoot at 720p HD resolution at frame rates that are even higher than in Full HD, that is, 50 and 60fps, so to get fast action videos. You can also make use of manual control on exposure and focus.

Like images, there is an in-camera editing functionality on videos too. Its predecessor, Canon T3 has used AF before starting recording videos, and has slower LiveView mode. Also, Canon T3 has face-detection single-servo AF and uses contrast-detect AF that struggled to catch focus. T5 on the other hand, claims to overcome all such discrepancies. Canon Rebel T5 comes with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens and is pegged at a price that is reasonably lesser than T3. Canon EOS 1200D measures 5.1 x 3.9 x 3 inches and weighs around 17 ounces with its memory card, body and battery. You get more of a plasticky feel when you hold it in hand to take the shot but for beginners, it has a lot to offer and carrying it around the neck will not feel like a pressure.

Design and Build Quality

Canon EOS 1200D contends its looks with that of Canon 700D and appears to be better. With textured coating and deep grip, the camera is easy to hold and can even be used with one hand. Everthing is done via physical controls, for there is no touchscreen. The array of buttons at the back is quite decent since 1200D happens to be just an entry level-imaging device. The buttons include settling, white balance and sensitivity.

A Q button lets you to quickly browse through the settings on screen and alter them via scroll dial like turning to metering setting and then changing the spot metering. The Q option lets you to do the job easily than diving into the main settings menu and using your own time. At the top of the camera, there is a mode dial that lets you to switch between various modes like exposure mode, auto modes and scene mode. The dpad is helpful in determining the focus points.

Focus and Face Detection

Canon EOS 1200D focuses quickly and keeps it up till the auto-flash is not present. If that happens, the flash can be shut. Moreover, there is no face detection feature here.

Lens and Image Stabilization

Canon EOS 1200D camera comes with a 3.06x optical zoom lens marked 18-55mm, which in 35mm terms, means 29mm at wide angle position and 88mm at telephoto position. The camera has the Image stabilization feature.

Screen and Menus

Canon EOS 1200D has a simpler menu system wherein, almost all the controls are within reach. The users of the camera would still go for intelligent auto setting rather than manually tuning the settings unless required. The LCD has a resolution of 460k, which is not that bright to work with, so you'd have to adjust the brightness in the menu system itself. There is a bright optical viewfinder that has 95 percent of field coverage. The LCD is 3 inches wide, fixed yet lacks detail. Sadly, it does get blacked out when in sunlight. The viewfinder is of 2.7 inches wide with resolution of 230k dots.

Battery

Canon EOS 1200D comes with a rechargeable Li-ion battery named LP-E10. As per CIPA testing standards, you can get 500 shots. Also, the battery charger (LC-E10E) gets shipped with the camera itself.

Video Mode

Canon EOS 1200D can record videos in Full HD resolution, 1080p at frame rates; 24, 25 and 30fps. You can also shoot at 720p/HD videos at 50/60fps for speedy action. Under this mode, you can manually control exposure, focus and basic within the camera editing features.

Sensors

Canon EOS 1200D comes with an 18 megapixels CMOS sensor. It gives good low light performance for it comes combined with DIGIC4 image processing engine. The ISO range covers ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended up to ISO 12800. The sensor is APS-C with the width and height of the pixels being 5184 and 3456 respectively. The Aspect ratio remains at 3:2 and the ISO 12800 results are quite poor and thereby, not recommended to be used by professional shutterbugs.

Pros

• Canon EOS 1200D is affordable
• The camera comes with a textured coating
• There is an optical viewfinder to frame shots
• Full HD videos are decent enough

Cons

• Canon EOS 1200D LiveView focusing is slow
• There is no Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity
• Shutter is noisy
• ISO handling is not fine enough