Canon EOS 1200D vs Canon EOS 850D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 1200D and Canon EOS 850D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 1200D were released 2014 and Canon EOS 850D was released 2020. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 1200D 2014
Canon EOS 850D 2020

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 1200D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Canon EOS 850D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 1200D has a 18 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 850D has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 1200D 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456
Canon EOS 850D 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Canon EOS 850D has a 34 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1200D. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 850D has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1200D. Canon EOS 850D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 1200D has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 1200D 100-6400
Canon EOS 850D 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1200D
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 850D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 1200D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 850D can shoot up to 7,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 1200D 3
Canon EOS 850D 7,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS 1200D and Canon EOS 850D can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 850D weighs 515 gr (equal to 1.14 lb) which is 7% heavier than Canon EOS 1200D and its 480 gr (or 1.06 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 1200D 480 gr
1.06 lb
Canon EOS 850D 515 gr
1.14 lb

Canon EOS 1200D vs Canon EOS 850D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 1200D and Canon EOS 850D, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 1200D
Canon EOS 850D
Name Canon EOS 1200D Canon EOS 850D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 1200D
Canon EOS 850D
Release Year 2014 2020
Release Date 2014-02-12 2020-02-12
MSRP 549 USD 749 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 1200D
Canon EOS 850D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 1200D
Canon EOS 850D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 18 MP 24 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 DIGIC 8
Image
Canon EOS 1200D
Canon EOS 850D
ISO Range 100 - 6400 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 1200D
Canon EOS 850D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 45
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 1200D
Canon EOS 850D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 460000 1040000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.5× 35mm equiv.) 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Canon EOS 1200D
Canon EOS 850D
Frames per second 3 fps 7,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 9 meters 4 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 1200D
Canon EOS 850D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 1200D
Canon EOS 850D
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 1200D
Canon EOS 850D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (E3 connector) Yes (via wireless remote or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 1200D
Canon EOS 850D
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E10 rechargeable battery & charger
LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 500 shots 800 shots
Width 130 mm 131 mm
Height 100 mm 103 mm
Depth 78 mm 76 mm
Weight 480 gram 515 gram