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Canon 1300D vs Canon 1200D Review

Canon have announced the exciting release of the Canon EOS 1300D DSLR camera, which builds upon the features of their extremely popular entry-level Canon EOS 1200D model. Originally announced in February 2014, the Canon 1200D is a lightweight, portable, and affordable digital SLR camera that is easy to use and is ideal for beginners to photography, so in this article we take a look at how it compares to the new and improved Canon 1300D.

Go straight to our specifications comparison table.

Image processing engine

The Canon EOS 1300D utilises Canon’s DIGIC 4+ image processor, where the 1200D used the DIGIC 4 version. The DIGIC 4+ processor offers a 60% speed increase over the DIGIC 4 at high ISO levels, and is 30% faster at processing and focusing.

LCD monitor

Both the Canon EOS 1200D and the Canon EOS 1300D feature a 3” (7.5 cm) TFT LCD monitor, but where the 1200D's had a resolution of 460k dots, on the 1300D this has increased to a generous 920k dots - almost doubling the resolution! This translates to sharp, clear images with a large amount of fine detail.

Continuous shooting

The 1200D and 1300D both offer continuous shooting at 3 frames per second. The 1200D sustains this for around 69 JPEGs, but the 1300D can manage around 1,110, which is a significant and welcome improvement.

Wi-Fi and NFC

Where the 1300D perhaps most exceeds its predecessor is in its much-needed addition of Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity. This means you can instantly connect, transfer, and backup your images to compatible smart devices using near field communication (NFC)* or with the Canon CS100 Connect Station, as well as capture shots and control the camera remotely when using the Canon Camera Connect app.

*Connectivity to smart devices is possible with Android version 4.0-4.4/5.0-5.1 or iOS 7.1/8-8.3. 

NFC connectivity is possible only with compatible Android devices.

Weight and dimensions

Canon have slightly modified the dimensions on the 1300D to now measure 129 mm x 101.3 mm x 77.6 mm (W x H x D) as opposed to the 129.6 x 99.7 x 77.9 mm measurements of the 1200D. As such, there is a marginal difference in weight, with the 1300D weighing 485 grams - 5 grams more than on the 1200D.

Canon 1300D - Our Opinion

For current users of Canon entry-level DSLRs, the 1300D offers the much-needed Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity which was lacking across most of the range, so upgrading to it will be a no-brainer. The other various improvements mentioned above should help ensure that the Canon EOS 1300D is a go to digital SLR camera for novice and intermediate photographers on a budget. We anticipate it will be a huge hit, as it offers so many great features in a very affordable package.

The 1300 D is also available in the following kit:

Canon EOS 1300D with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens kit

The IS lens kit version in particular is an excellent choice, as the 4-stop image stabilisation it provides allows you to use shutter speeds at up to 4 times slower than usual - with no noticeable increase in image blur. This makes is perfectly suited for shooting in low light conditions.

The following stylish new bags are also available:

Canon Holster HL100

Canon Shoulder Bag SB100 

Canon Sling Bag SL100

Canon Backpack BP100

...as well as numerous other accessories which can be seen on our Canon EOS 1300D page. 

Canon 1200D vs 1300D Review - Specs Comparison

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By Park Cameras on 10/03/2016