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Canon 1200D vs Canon M

The Canon EOS 1200D (called Canon T5 in some regions) and the Canon EOS M are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in February 2014 and July 2012. The 1200D is a DSLR, while the Canon M is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 17.9 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon 1200D
versus
Canon M
Canon 1200D   Canon M
Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF-M mount lenses
17.9 MP – APS-C sensor 17.9 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video 1080/30p Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800) ISO 100-12,800 (100 - 25,600)
Optical viewfinder No viewfinder, LCD framing
3.0" LCD – 460k dots 3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed touchscreen
3 shutter flaps per second 4.3 shutter flaps per second
500 shots per battery charge230 shots per battery charge
130 x 100 x 78 mm, 480 g 109 x 66 x 32 mm, 298 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 1200D and the Canon EOS M? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 1200D and the Canon M. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The Canon M can be obtained in two different colors (black, white), while the 1200D is only available in black.

Size Canon 1200D vs Canon M
Compare 1200D versus Canon M top
Comparison 1200D or Canon M rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon M is considerably smaller (45 percent) than the Canon 1200D. Moreover, the Canon M is substantially lighter (38 percent) than the 1200D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 1200D nor the Canon M are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the 1200D gets 500 shots out of its Canon LP-E10 battery, while the Canon M can take 230 images on a single charge of its Canon LP-E12 power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 1200D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 449ebay.com
2.
 
Canon M 109 mm 66 mm 32 mm 298 g 230 n Jul 2012 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 4000D 129 mm 102 mm 77 mm 436 g 500 n Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon M100 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 302 g 295 n Aug 2017 499ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 1300D 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 485 g 500 n Mar 2016 449ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 750D 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 555 g 440 n Feb 2015 749ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 760D 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 565 g 440 n Feb 2015 649ebay.com
8.
 
Canon G9 X 98 mm 58 mm 31 mm 209 g 220 n Oct 2015 529ebay.com
9.
 
Canon M10 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 301 g 255 n Oct 2015 499ebay.com
10.
 
Canon G7 X 103 mm 60 mm 40 mm 304 g 210 n Sep 2014 699ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 100D 117 mm 91 mm 69 mm 407 g 380 n Mar 2013 549ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 700D 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 580 g 440 n Mar 2013 649ebay.com
13.
 
Canon G16 109 mm 76 mm 40 mm 356 g 360 n Aug 2013 549ebay.com
14.
 
Canon 650D 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 575 g 440 n Jun 2012 849ebay.com
15.
 
Canon 1100D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 449ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic G3 115 mm 84 mm 47 mm 336 g 270 n May 2011 599ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The 1200D was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 25 percent) than the Canon M, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Technology-wise, the Canon M uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC V) than the 1200D (DIGIC 4), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Canon 1200D and Canon M sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 17.9 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the 1200D and the Canon M have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the 1200D is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 6 months) than the Canon M, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The Canon M has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Canon EOS 1200D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS M are ISO 100 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

1200D versus Canon M MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon 1200D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
2.
 
Canon M APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.282765
3.
 
Canon 4000D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.469563
4.
 
Canon M100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.512.9127278
5.
 
Canon 1300D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.778166
6.
 
Canon 750D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.712.091971
7.
 
Canon 760D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.091570
8.
 
Canon G9 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.512.349563
9.
 
Canon M10 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.211.475365
10.
 
Canon G7 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p23.012.755671
11.
 
Canon 100D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.811.384363
12.
 
Canon 700D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.268161
13.
 
Canon G16 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/60p21.011.723054
14.
 
Canon 650D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.272262
15.
 
Canon 1100D APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
16.
 
Panasonic G3 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34481080/60i21.010.666756
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/30p).

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the 1200D has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the Canon M relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 1200D and Canon M in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon 1200Doptical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon Mnone n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.3/s n n
3.
 
Canon 4000Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon M100none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.1/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 1300Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon 750Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon 760Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
8.
 
Canon G9 Xnone n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 6.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Canon M10none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 4.6/s Y n
10.
 
Canon G7 Xnone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 6.5/s Y Y
11.
 
Canon 100Doptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.9/s Y n
12.
 
Canon 700Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
13.
 
Canon G16optical n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 2.2/s Y Y
14.
 
Canon 650Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
15.
 
Canon 1100Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
16.
 
Panasonic G31440 n3.0 / 460 swivel Y 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The 1200D has one, while the Canon M does not. While the built-in flash of the 1200D is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 1200D and the Canon M write their files to SDXC cards. The Canon M supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the 1200D cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 1200D and Canon EOS M and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon 1200DYmono / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Canon MYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon 4000DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon M100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
5.
 
Canon 1300DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
6.
 
Canon 750DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
7.
 
Canon 760DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
8.
 
Canon G9 X-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
9.
 
Canon M10-stereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
10.
 
Canon G7 X-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
11.
 
Canon 100DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
12.
 
Canon 700DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
13.
 
Canon G16Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
14.
 
Canon 650DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
15.
 
Canon 1100DYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
16.
 
Panasonic G3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
padding

It is notable that the Canon M has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings by attaching an external microphone. The 1200D does not feature such a mic input.

Both the 1200D and the Canon M have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The Canon M was replaced by the Canon EOS M3, while the 1200D was followed by the Canon 1300D. Further information on the features and operation of the 1200D and Canon M can be found, respectively, in the Canon 1200D Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon M Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Canon 1200D better than the Canon M or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Advantages of the Canon EOS 1200D:

  • Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (500 versus 230) on a single battery charge.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (25 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 6 months after the Canon M).


Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS M:

  • Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC V vs DIGIC 4).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 460k dots).
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (4.3 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More compact: Is smaller (109x66mm vs 130x100mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 182g or 38 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in July 2012).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the Canon M is the clear winner of the contest (11 : 5 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

1200D 05:11 Canon M

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 1200D and the Canon M place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 1200D or the Canon M perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 1200D3/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 449ebay.com
2.
 
Canon M3/5+....4/54/5 Jul 2012 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 4000D2.5/5o3/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon M1003/5+....4/53.5/5 Aug 2017 499ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 1300D4/5o4/573/1004/54/5 Mar 2016 449ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 750D5/5....75/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 760D5/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 649ebay.com
8.
 
Canon G9 X3.5/5+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Oct 2015 529ebay.com
9.
 
Canon M10..........4/5 Oct 2015 499ebay.com
10.
 
Canon G7 X4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2014 699ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 100D4/5+..78/1004/54/5 Mar 2013 549ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 700D......76/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2013 649ebay.com
13.
 
Canon G164/5+....4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 549ebay.com
14.
 
Canon 650D4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2012 849ebay.com
15.
 
Canon 1100D..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 449ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic G33/5+ +..75/1004.5/55/5 May 2011 599ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Canon 1200D vs Canon M

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon 1200D Canon M
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF-M mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2014 July 2012
    Launch Price USD 449 USD 599
    Sensor Specs Canon 1200D Canon M
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 332.27 mm2 332.27 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 17.9 Megapixels 17.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.31 μm 4.31 μm
    Pixel Density 5.39 MP/cm2 5.39 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 12,800 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 4 DIGIC V
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 63 65
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.9 22.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.3 11.2
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 724 827
    Screen Specs Canon 1200D Canon M
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder no viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.50x
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 460k dots 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Canon 1200D Canon M
    Focus System Phase-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 4.3 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Canon 1200D Canon M
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Canon 1200D Canon M
    Battery Type Canon LP-E10 Canon LP-E12
    Battery Life (CIPA)500 shots per charge230 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 130 x 100 x 78 mm
    (5.1 x 3.9 x 3.1 in)
    109 x 66 x 32 mm
    (4.3 x 2.6 x 1.3 in)
    Camera Weight 480 g (16.9 oz) 298 g (10.5 oz)
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