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Nikon D3000 vs Canon 1200D

The Nikon D3000 and the Canon EOS 1200D (labelled Canon T5 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in July 2009 and February 2014. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 10 megapixels, whereas the Canon provides 17.9 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Nikon D3000
versus
Canon 1200D
Nikon D3000   Canon 1200D
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
10 MP – APS-C sensor 17.9 MP – APS-C sensor
no Video 1080/30p Video
ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200) ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 230k dots 3.0" LCD – 460k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 3 shutter flaps per second
500 shots per battery charge500 shots per battery charge
126 x 97 x 64 mm, 536 g 130 x 100 x 78 mm, 480 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D3000 and the Canon EOS 1200D? 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

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon D3000 and the Canon 1200D is provided in the side-by-side display below. 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.

Size Nikon D3000 vs Canon 1200D
Compare D3000 versus 1200D top
Comparison D3000 or 1200D rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 1200D is notably larger (6 percent) than the Nikon D3000. However, the 1200D is markedly lighter (10 percent) than the D3000. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the D3000 nor the 1200D 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. Yet, since both cameras are based around an APS-C sensor, their respective lenses will tend to have similar dimensions and heft. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Nikon Lens Catalog (D3000) and the Canon EF Lens Catalog (1200D).

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. 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.
 
Nikon D3000 126 mm 97 mm 64 mm 536 g 500 n Jul 2009 599ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 1200D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 4000D 129 mm 102 mm 77 mm 436 g 500 n Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 1300D 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 485 g 500 n Mar 2016 449ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 100D 117 mm 91 mm 69 mm 407 g 380 n Mar 2013 549ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 700D 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 580 g 440 n Mar 2013 649ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 1100D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 449ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X100 126 mm 75 mm 54 mm 445 g 300 n Sep 2010 1,199ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D3200 125 mm 96 mm 77 mm 505 g 540 n Apr 2012 599ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D3100 124 mm 96 mm 75 mm 505 g 550 n Aug 2010 599ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D60 126 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 500 n Jan 2008 629ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D90 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 703 g 850 n Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D40X 124 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 520 n Mar 2007 729ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D40 124 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 470 n Nov 2006 499ebay.com
16.
 
Olympus E-450 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 440 g 500 n Mar 2009 499ebay.com
17.
 
Olympus E-420 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 440 g 500 n Mar 2008 599ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. 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 D3000, 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels 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 tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the 1200D is 11 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.5 (D3000) and 1.6. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Nikon D3000 and Canon 1200D sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the 1200D offers a higher resolution of 17.9 megapixels, compared with 10 MP of the D3000. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.31μm versus 6.11μm for the D3000). However, it should be noted that the 1200D is much more recent (by 4 years and 6 months) than the D3000, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 1200D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 1200D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 17.3 inches or 65.8 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 13.8 inches or 52.7 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 11.5 inches or 43.9 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D3000 are 19.4 x 13 inches or 49.2 x 32.9 cm for good quality, 15.5 x 10.4 inches or 39.3 x 26.3 cm for very good quality, and 12.9 x 8.6 inches or 32.8 x 21.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Nikon D3000 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 100-3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS 1200D are ISO 100 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-12800.

In terms of underlying technology, the D3000 is build around a CCD sensor, while the 1200D uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

D3000 versus 1200D MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). 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.
 
Nikon D3000 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.156362
2.
 
Canon 1200D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
3.
 
Canon 4000D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.469563
4.
 
Canon 1300D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.778166
5.
 
Canon 100D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.811.384363
6.
 
Canon 700D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.268161
7.
 
Canon 1100D APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
8.
 
Fujifilm X100 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/30p22.912.4100173
9.
 
Nikon D3200 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/30p24.113.2113181
10.
 
Nikon D3100 APS-C 14.2 4608 30721080/24p22.511.391967
11.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
12.
 
Nikon D60 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.511.456265
13.
 
Nikon D90 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.597773
14.
 
Nikon D40X APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.411.451663
15.
 
Nikon D40 APS-C 6.0 3008 2000none21.011.056156
16.
 
Olympus E-450 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.510.551256
17.
 
Olympus E-420 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.510.452756
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The 1200D indeed provides for movie recording, while the D3000 does not. The highest resolution format that the 1200D can use is 1080/30p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The D3000 and the 1200D are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), but the viewfinder of the D3000 has a higher magnification than the one of the 1200D (0.53x vs 0.50x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Nikon D3000 and Canon 1200D 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.
 
Nikon D3000optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon 1200Doptical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 4000Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon 1300Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 100Doptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.9/s Y n
6.
 
Canon 700Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon 1100Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
8.
 
Fujifilm X1001440 n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D3200optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D3100optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon D60optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
13.
 
Nikon D90optical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 4.5/s Y n
14.
 
Nikon D40Xoptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
15.
 
Nikon D40optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
16.
 
Olympus E-450optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
17.
 
Olympus E-420optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The D3000 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the 1200D uses SDXC 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 Nikon D3000 and Canon EOS 1200D 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.
 
Nikon D3000Y- / ----2.0---
2.
 
Canon 1200DYmono / mono--mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon 4000DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon 1300DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon 100DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
6.
 
Canon 700DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon 1100DYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Fujifilm X100Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D3200Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D3100Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D60Y- / ----2.0---
13.
 
Nikon D90Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
14.
 
Nikon D40XY- / ----2.0---
15.
 
Nikon D40Y- / ----2.0---
16.
 
Olympus E-450Y- / ----2.0---
17.
 
Olympus E-420Y- / ----2.0---
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Both the D3000 and the 1200D have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D3000 was replaced by the Nikon D3100, while the 1200D was followed by the Canon 1300D. Further information on the features and operation of the D3000 and 1200D can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D3000 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 1200D Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Nikon D3000 and the Canon 1200D? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Reasons to prefer the Nikon D3000:

  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.53x vs 0.50x).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in July 2009).

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Advantages of the Canon EOS 1200D:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (17.9 vs 10MP), which boosts linear resolution by 34%.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (0.4 stops ISO advantage).
  • Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/30p video.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (460k vs 230k dots).
  • More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (25 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 4 years and 6 months of technical progress since the D3000 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 1200D is the clear winner of the contest (6 : 2 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. 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.

D3000 02:06 1200D

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D3000 and the Canon 1200D place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing 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 partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the D3000 or the 1200D. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular 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.
 
Nikon D3000..+..72/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 599ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 1200D3/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 4000D2.5/5o3/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 1300D4/5o4/573/1004/54/5 Mar 2016 449ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 100D4/5+..78/1004/54/5 Mar 2013 549ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 700D......76/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2013 649ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 1100D..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 449ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X1003/5....75/1004/55/5 Sep 2010 1,199ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D32005/5+ +..73/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2012 599ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D31005/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2010 599ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 749ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D60..80/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 629ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D90..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D40X..79/100..+ +4/54/5 Mar 2007 729ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D40..81/100..+ +o4.5/5 Nov 2006 499ebay.com
16.
 
Olympus E-450........4/54/5 Mar 2009 499ebay.com
17.
 
Olympus E-420..85/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Mar 2008 599ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Nikon D3000 vs Canon 1200D

    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 Nikon D3000 Canon 1200D
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date July 2009 February 2014
    Launch Price USD 599 USD 449
    Sensor Specs Nikon D3000 Canon 1200D
    Sensor Technology CCD CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.8 mm 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 372.88 mm2 332.27 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.4 mm 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 10 Megapixels 17.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 3872 x 2592 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 6.11 μm 4.31 μm
    Pixel Density 2.69 MP/cm2 5.39 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 1,600 ISO 100 - 6,400 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 3,200 ISO 100 - 12,800 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED DIGIC 4
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 62 63
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.3 21.9
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.1 11.3
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 563 724
    Screen Specs Nikon D3000 Canon 1200D
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.53x 0.50x
    LCD Framing Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 460k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D3000 Canon 1200D
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 3 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDHC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D3000 Canon 1200D
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Nikon D3000 Canon 1200D
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL9a Canon LP-E10
    Battery Life (CIPA)500 shots per charge500 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 126 x 97 x 64 mm
    (5.0 x 3.8 x 2.5 in)
    130 x 100 x 78 mm
    (5.1 x 3.9 x 3.1 in)
    Camera Weight 536 g (18.9 oz) 480 g (16.9 oz)
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