Canon EOS 1200D with 18-55mm lens £350 / $500
Old meets new in this starter-level SLR
aunched at the beginning of 2014, the EOS 1200D is one of the newer cameras in the group. It’s a definite step up from the preceding 1100D, which had a lowly 12.2MP resolution for stills and 720p for video. That’s raised to 18MP and 1080p respectively in the 1200D, while other updates include the addition of
La Scene Intelligent Auto shooting mode. As with most competitors, this analyses the scene in real time and aims to apply the most appropriate shooting parameters for best results.
There’s also a new raft of creative filters like Toy Camera and Grainy Black and White, which were also lacking in the 1100D. However, you can only apply creative filters to
The layout is no surprise to owners of previous Canons images you’ve already shot. On the EOS M, filters are available while shooting, complete with a preview of the effect while composing shots on the LCD screen.
The 1200D also loses out to the EOS M by having an older-generation Digic 4 processor, even though newer Digic 5 processors were fitted to the EOS 100D and EOS 700D SLRs, both of which predate the 1200D. Further disappointments are that the 1200D has a lower-resolution 460k-pixel LCD, which also lacks the touchscreen facility of the EOS M.
The 18-55mm IS kit lens has a basic electric autofocus motor which is quite sluggish and sounds rather shrill, compared with the silent stepping motor of the EOS M’s kit lens. The latter also has more refined handling and build quality.
Performance
In good light, image quality is a close match with the EOS M. However, image noise is more noticeable in low light, especially at high ISO settings. The maximum burst rate of just three frames per second is the slowest in the group. It’s a worthy upgrade over the 1100D, but doesn’t look great value against this competition.