Canon EOS 1200D User manual

INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
ENGLISH
The “Quick Reference Guide” is included at the end of this manual.

2
The EOS 1200D is a high-performance, digital single-lens reflex
camera featuring a fine-detail CMOS sensor with approx. 18.0 effective
megapixels, DIGIC 4, high-precision and high-speed 9-point AF,
approx. 3.0 fps continuous shooting, Live View shooting, and Full
High-Definition (Full HD) movie shooting.
The camera is highly responsive to any shooting situation, and provides
many features for demanding shots.
Refer to This Manual While Using the Camera to Further
Familiarize Yourself with the Camera
With a digital camera, you can immediately view the image you have
captured. While reading this manual, take a few test shots and see how
they come out. You can then better understand the camera.
To avoid botched pictures and accidents, first read the “Safety
Warnings” (p.307-309) and “Handling Precautions” (p.20, 21).
Testing the Camera Before Use and Liability
After shooting, play images back and check whether they have been
properly recorded. If the camera or memory card is faulty and the
images cannot be recorded or downloaded to a computer, Canon
cannot be held liable for any loss or inconvenience caused.
Copyrights
Copyright laws in your country may prohibit the use of your recorded
images or copyrighted music and images with music in the memory
card for anything other than private enjoyment. Also be aware that
certain public performances, exhibitions, etc., may prohibit photography
even for private enjoyment.
Introduction

3
Before starting, check that all the following items have been included
with your camera. If anything is missing, contact your dealer.
* Battery Charger LC-E10 or LC-E10E is provided. (The LC-E10E comes with a
power cord.)
The Instruction Manual and DVD/CD-ROMs provided are listed on the next
page.
If you purchased a Lens Kit, check that the lenses are included.
Depending on the Lens Kit type, lens instruction manuals may also be
included.
Be careful not to lose any of the above items.
Item Check List
Battery Pack LP-E10
(with protective cover)
Battery Charger
LC-E10/LC-E10E*
Wide Strap
Camera
(with eyecup and body cap)
Interface Cable

4
The instruction manual consists of a booklet and PDF manuals in
electronic form (provided on the DVD-ROM).
EOS Camera Instruction Manuals Disk (DVD-ROM)
Contains the following PDF manuals:
• Instruction Manual (Detailed version)
• Software Instruction Manuals for the software on the
EOS Solution Disk
* Instructions for viewing the Instruction Manuals on the DVD-ROM are on pages
315-316.
EOS Solution Disk
Contains various software. For outlines and
installation
procedure for the software, see pages 319-321
.
Instruction Manual and DVD/CD-ROMs
Basic Instruction
Manual
EOS Camera Instruction Manuals Disk XXX
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CEL-XXX XXX
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5
The camera can use the following cards regardless of capacity: If the
card is new or was previously formatted by another camera or
computer, it is recommended that you format the card with this
camera (p.50).
• SD memory cards
• SDHC memory cards
• SDXC memory cards
When shooting movies, use a large-capacity SD card rated SD
Speed Class 6 “ ” or higher.
If you use a slow-writing card when shooting movies, the movie may
not be recorded properly. Also, if you play back a movie on a card
with a slow reading speed, the movie may not play back properly.
If you want to shoot still photos while shooting a movie, you will need
an even faster card.
To check the card’s reading/writing speed, refer to the card
manufacturer’s website.
Compatible Cards
Cards that Can Record Movies
The camera can use UHS-I cards, but since it is not compatible with the
UHS-I standard, reading/writing speeds will be equivalent to SD Speed
Class 10 at most.
In this manual, “card” refers to SD memory cards, SDHC memory
cards, and SDXC memory cards.
*The camera does not come with a card for recording images/
movies. Please purchase it separately.

6
Quick Start Guide
1Insert the battery (p.32).
To charge the battery, see page 30.
2Insert a card (p.32).
With the card’s label facing toward
the back of the camera, insert it into
the card slot.
3Attach the lens (p.40).
Align the lens’s white or red index
with the camera’s index in the
matching color.
4Set the lens focus mode switch
to <AF> (p.40).
5Set the power switch to <1>
(p.35).
When the LCD monitor displays the
date/time/zone setting screens, see
page 37.
White index Red index

7
Quick Start Guide
6Set the Mode Dial to <A>
(Scene Intelligent Auto) (p.56).
All the necessary camera settings
will be set automatically.
7Focus on the subject (p.45).
Look through the viewfinder and
aim the viewfinder center over the
subject.
Press the shutter button halfway, and
the camera will focus on the subject.
If necessary, the built-in flash will be
raised automatically.
8Take the picture (p.45).
Press the shutter button completely
to take the picture.
9Review the picture (p.180).
The image just captured will be
displayed for 2 sec. on the LCD
monitor.
To display the image again, press
the <x> button (p.80).
To shoot while looking at the LCD monitor, see “Live View
Shooting” (p.133).
To view the images captured so far, see “Image Playback” (p.80).
To delete an image, see “Erasing Images” (p.227).

8
Icons in this Manual
<6> : Indicates the Main Dial.
<W><X><Y><Z> : Indicates the <S> cross keys on the top,
bottom, left, and right.
<0> : Indicates the Setting button.
0, 9, 7, 8: Indicates that the corresponding function
remains active for 4 sec., 6 sec., 10 sec., or 16
sec. respectively after you let go of the button.
* In this manual, the icons and markings indicating the camera’s buttons, dials,
and settings correspond to the icons and markings on the camera and on the
LCD monitor.
3: Indicates a function that can be changed by pressing the
<M> button and changing the setting.
M: Shown at the upper right of a page title to indicate a
function that is available only in the Creative Zone modes
(p.26).
(p.**) : Reference page numbers for more information.
: Warning to prevent shooting problems.
: Supplemental information.
: Tips or advice for better shooting.
: Problem-solving advice.
Basic Assumptions
All operations explained in this manual assume that the power switch
is <1> (p.35).
It is assumed that all the menu settings and Custom Functions are
set to their defaults.
The illustrations in this manual show the camera attached with the
EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens as an example.
Conventions Used in this Manual

9
For first-time DSLR users, Chapters 1 and 2 explain the camera’s
basic operations and shooting procedures.
Chapters
Introduction 2
Getting Started 29
Basic Shooting and Image Playback 55
Creative Shooting 81
Advanced Shooting 103
Shooting with the LCD Monitor (Live View Shooting)
133
Shooting Movies 153
Handy Features 179
Image Playback 203
Post-Processing Images 233
Printing Images 239
Customizing the Camera 255
Reference 267
Viewing the DVD-ROM Instruction Manuals /
Downloading Images to Your Computer 313
Quick Reference Guide and Index 323
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

10
Contents at a Glance
Shooting
Shoot automatically Î p.55-79 (Basic Zone modes)
Shoot continuously Î p.98 (iContinuous shooting)
Take a picture of yourself in a group Î p.100 (jSelf-timer)
Freeze the action Î p.104 (sShutter-priority AE)
Blur the action
Blur the background Î p.62 (CCreative Auto)
Keep the background in sharp focus Î p.106 (fAperture-priority AE)
Adjust the image brightness (exposure) Î p.112 (Exposure compensation)
Shoot in low light Î p.56, 101 (DFlash photography)
p.88 (ISO speed setting)
Shoot without flash Î p.61 (7Flash Off)
p.64, 72 (bFlash off)
Shoot fireworks at night Î p.110 (Bulb exposure)
Shoot while viewing the LCD monitor Î p.133 (ALive View shooting)
Shoot movies Î p.153 (kMovie shooting)
Image Quality
Shoot with image effects Î p.91 (Picture Style)
matching the subject
Make a large-size print of the picture Î p.84 (73, 83, 1)

11
Take many pictures Î p.84 (7a, 8a, b, c)
Focusing
Change the point of focus Î p.95 (SAF point selection)
Shoot a moving subject Î p.68, 94 (AI Servo AF)
Playback
View the images on the camera Î p.80 (xPlayback)
Search for pictures quickly Î p.204 (HIndex display)
p.205 (IImage browsing)
Rate images Î p.208 (Ratings)
Prevent important images Î p.225 (KImage protection)
from accidental deletion
Delete unnecessary images Î p.227 (LDelete)
Auto play images and movies Î p.218 (Slide show)
View the photos or movies on a TV set Î p.222 (High-Definition TV set)
Adjust the LCD monitor brightness Î p.181 (LCD monitor brightness)
Apply special effect to images Î p.234 (Creative filters)
Printing
Print pictures easily Î p.239 (Direct printing)

12
Power
Battery
• Charging Îp.30
• Installing/Removing Îp.32
• Battery check Îp.36
Household power outlet Îp.268
Auto power off Îp.35
Cards
Installing/Removing Îp.32
Formatting Îp.50
Release shutter
without card Îp.180
Lens
Attaching/Detaching Îp.40
Zoom Îp.41
Image Stabilizer Îp.43
Basic Settings
Dioptric adjustment Îp.44
Language Îp.39
Date/Time/Zone Îp.37
Beeper Îp.180
LCD off/on button Îp.193
LCD brightness
adjustment Îp.181
Recording Images
Creating/Selecting
a folder Îp.182
File numbering Îp.184
Image Quality
Image-recording quality Îp.84
Picture Style Îp.91
White balance Îp.127
Color space Îp.131
Image enhancement features
• Auto Lighting Optimizer Îp.119
• Lens peripheral
illumination correction Îp.120
• Noise reduction for
long exposures Îp.260
• Noise reduction for
high ISO speeds Îp.261
• Highlight tone priority Îp.261
AF
AF operation Îp.93
AF point selection Îp.95
Manual focusing Îp.97
Drive
Drive mode Îp.24
Continuous shooting Îp.98
Self-timer Îp.100
Maximum burst Îp.86
Shooting
Shooting mode Îp.26
ISO speed Îp.88
Feature guide Îp.53
Bulb Îp.110
Metering mode Îp.111
Quick Control Îp.46
Index to Features

13
Index to Features
Exposure Adjustment
Exposure compensation Îp.112
AEB Îp.114
AE lock Îp.116
Flash
Built-in flash Îp.101
• Flash exposure
compensation Îp.113
• FE lock Îp.117
External flash Îp.270
Flash control Îp.194
Live View Shooting
Live View shooting Îp.133
Autofocusing (AF)
methods Îp.142
Aspect ratio Îp.140
Grid display Îp.139
Quick Control Îp.138
Movie Shooting
Movie shooting Îp.153
Sound recording Îp.174
Grid display Îp.175
Manual exposure Îp.156
Still photo shooting Îp.161
Quick Control Îp.163
Video snapshot Îp.166
Playback
Image review time Îp.180
Single-image display Îp.80
Shooting information
display Îp.229
Index display Îp.204
Image browsing
(Jump display) Îp.205
Magnified view Îp.206
Image rotation Îp.207
Rating Îp.208
Movie playback Îp.214
Editing out movie’s
first/last scene Îp.216
Slide show Îp.218
Viewing images on a
TV set Îp.222
Protect Îp.225
Erase Îp.227
Quick Control Îp.210
Image Editing
Creative filters Îp.234
Resize Îp.237
Printing
PictBridge Îp.242
Print Order (DPOF) Îp.249
Photobook Set-up Îp.253
Customization
Custom Functions (C.Fn) Îp.256
My Menu Îp.265
Software
Downloading images to a
computer Îp.317
Software instruction
manual Îp.315

14
1
Introduction 2
Item Check List................................................................................. 3
Instruction Manual and DVD/CD-ROMs........................................... 4
Compatible Cards............................................................................. 5
Quick Start Guide ............................................................................. 6
Conventions Used in this Manual..................................................... 8
Chapters........................................................................................... 9
Contents at a Glance...................................................................... 10
Index to Features ........................................................................... 12
Handling Precautions ..................................................................... 20
Nomenclature ................................................................................. 22
Getting Started 29
Charging the Battery ...................................................................... 30
Installing and Removing the Battery and Card............................... 32
Turning on the Power ..................................................................... 35
Setting the Date, Time, and Zone .................................................. 37
Selecting the Interface Language................................................... 39
Attaching and Detaching a Lens .................................................... 40
Lens Image Stabilizer..................................................................... 43
Basic Operation.............................................................................. 44
QQuick Control for Shooting Functions ....................................... 46
3Menu Operations.................................................................. 48
Formatting the Card ....................................................................... 50
Switching the LCD Monitor Display ................................................ 52
Feature Guide ................................................................................ 53
Contents

15
Contents
2
3
Basic Shooting and Image Playback 55
AFully Automatic Shooting (Scene Intelligent Auto)....................56
AFull Auto Techniques (Scene Intelligent Auto)..........................59
7Disabling Flash .........................................................................61
CCreative Auto Shooting.............................................................62
2Shooting Portraits ......................................................................65
3Shooting Landscapes ...............................................................66
4Shooting Close-ups ...................................................................67
5Shooting Moving Subjects ........................................................68
6Shooting Night Portraits .............................................................69
QQuick Control.............................................................................71
Shoot by Ambience Selection .........................................................73
Shoot by Lighting or Scene Type....................................................77
xImage Playback ........................................................................80
Creative Shooting 81
d: Program AE...............................................................................82
Setting the Image-Recording Quality ..............................................84
i: Changing the ISO Speed ........................................................88
A Optimal Image Characteristics for the Subject (Picture Style) ...91
f: Changing the Autofocus Operation (AF Operation) .................93
SSelecting the AF Point ..............................................................95
Subjects Difficult to Focus...............................................................97
MF: Manual Focus .......................................................................97
iContinuous Shooting .................................................................98
jUsing the Self-timer .................................................................100
DUsing the Built-in Flash .............................................................101

Contents
16
6
4
5
Advanced Shooting 103
s: Conveying the Subject’s Movement ..................................... 104
f: Changing the Depth of Field ................................................ 106
Depth of Field Preview............................................................... 108
a: Manual Exposure ................................................................... 109
qChanging the Metering Mode ................................................. 111
Setting Exposure Compensation.................................................. 112
Auto Exposure Bracketing............................................................ 114
ALocking the Exposure ............................................................. 116
ALocking the Flash Exposure.................................................... 117
Auto Correction of Brightness and Contrast (Auto Lighting Optimizer) ... 119
Correcting the Image’s Dark Corners........................................... 120
ACustomizing Image Characteristics (Picture Style) .............. 122
A Registering Preferred Image Characteristics (Picture Style) ... 125
B: Matching the Light Source (White Balance)......................... 127
uAdjusting the Color Tone for the Light Source ........................ 129
Setting the Color Reproduction Range (Color Space).................. 131
Shooting with the LCD Monitor (Live View Shooting) 133
AShooting with the LCD Monitor .............................................. 134
Shooting Function Settings .......................................................... 138
Menu Function Settings................................................................ 139
Using AF to Focus (AF Method)................................................... 142
MF: Focusing Manually ................................................................ 150
Shooting Movies 153
kShooting Movies..................................................................... 154
Autoexposure Shooting ............................................................. 154
Manual Exposure Shooting........................................................ 156
Shooting Still Photos.................................................................. 161

17
Contents
8
7
Shooting Function Settings...........................................................163
Setting the Movie Recording Size.................................................164
Shooting Video Snapshots............................................................166
Menu Function Settings ................................................................172
Handy Features 179
Handy Features ............................................................................180
Disabling the Beeper .................................................................180
Card Reminder...........................................................................180
Setting the Image Review Time .................................................180
Setting the Auto Power-off Time ................................................181
Adjusting the LCD Monitor Brightness .......................................181
Creating and Selecting a Folder ................................................182
File Numbering Methods ............................................................184
Setting Copyright Information.....................................................186
Auto Rotation of Vertical Images ................................................188
Checking Camera Settings ........................................................189
Reverting the Camera to the Default Settings............................190
Turning the LCD Monitor Off/On ................................................193
Changing the Shooting Settings Screen Color...........................193
Setting the Flash ...........................................................................194
Appending Dust Delete Data ........................................................198
Manual Sensor Cleaning...............................................................200
Image Playback 203
HISearching for Images Quickly ............................................204
u/yMagnified View ...................................................................206
bRotating the Image ..................................................................207
Setting Ratings..............................................................................208
QQuick Control for Playback......................................................210
kEnjoying Movies......................................................................212

Contents
18
11
9
10
kPlaying Movies ....................................................................... 214
XEditing a Movie’s First and Last Scenes ................................. 216
Slide Show (Auto Playback) ......................................................... 218
Playback on a High-Definition TV set........................................... 222
KProtecting Images................................................................... 225
LErasing Images........................................................................ 227
BShooting Information Display .............................................. 229
Post-Processing Images 233
UApplying Creative Filters......................................................... 234
SResizing JPEG Images........................................................... 237
Printing Images 239
Preparing to Print ......................................................................... 240
wPrinting................................................................................... 242
Cropping the Image ................................................................... 247
WDigital Print Order Format (DPOF) ......................................... 249
W Direct Printing of Print-Ordered Images................................. 252
pSpecifying Images for a Photobook......................................... 253
Customizing the Camera 255
Setting Custom Functions ............................................................ 256
Custom Function Settings ............................................................ 258
C.Fn I: Exposure........................................................................ 258
C.Fn II: Image ............................................................................ 260
C.Fn III: Autofocus/Drive............................................................ 262
C.Fn IV: Operation/Others ......................................................... 263
Registering My Menu ................................................................... 265

19
Contents
14
13
12
Reference 267
Using a Household Power Outlet..................................................268
FUsing the Remote Switch..........................................................269
External Speedlites ....................................................................... 270
HUsing Eye-Fi Cards .................................................................272
Function Availability Table According to Shooting Mode ..............274
System Map ..................................................................................276
Menu Settings ............................................................................... 278
Troubleshooting Guide..................................................................284
Error Codes...................................................................................296
Specifications................................................................................297
Safety Warnings............................................................................307
Viewing the DVD-ROM Instruction Manuals /
Downloading Images to Your Computer 313
Viewing the EOS Camera Instruction Manuals Disk DVD-ROM... 314
Downloading Images to a Computer.............................................317
About the Software .......................................................................319
Installing the Software...................................................................320
Quick Reference Guide and Index 323
Quick Reference Guide.................................................................324
Index .............................................................................................336

20
Camera Care
This camera is a precision instrument. Do not drop it or subject it to physical
shock.
The camera is not waterproof and cannot be used underwater. If you
accidentally drop the camera into water, promptly consult the nearest Canon
Service Center. Wipe off any water droplets with a dry and clean cloth. If the
camera has been exposed to salty air, wipe it with a well-wrung wet cloth.
Never leave the camera near anything having a strong magnetic field such
as a magnet or electric motor. Also avoid using or leaving the camera near
anything emitting strong radio waves, such as a large antenna. Strong
magnetic fields can cause camera misoperation or destroy image data.
Do not leave the camera in excessive heat, such as in a car in direct
sunlight. High temperatures can cause the camera to malfunction.
The camera contains precision electronic circuitry. Never attempt to
disassemble the camera yourself.
Do not block the built-in flash, mirror operation with your finger, etc. Doing so
may cause a malfunction.
Use a blower to blow away dust on the lens, viewfinder, reflex mirror, and
focusing screen. Do not use cleaners that contain organic solvents to clean
the camera body or lens. For stubborn dirt, take the camera to the nearest
Canon Service Center.
Do not touch the camera’s electrical contacts with your fingers. This is to
prevent the contacts from corroding. Corroded contacts can cause camera
misoperation.
If the camera is suddenly brought in from the cold into a warm room,
condensation may form on the camera and internal parts. To prevent
condensation, first put the camera in a sealed plastic bag and let it adjust to
the warmer temperature before taking it out of the bag.
If condensation forms on the camera, do not use the camera. This is to avoid
damaging the camera. If there is condensation, remove the lens, card and
battery from the camera, and wait until condensation has evaporated before
using the camera.
If the camera will not be used for an extended period, remove the battery
and store the camera in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Even while the
camera is in storage, press the shutter button a few times once in a while to
check that the camera is still working.
Avoid storing the camera where there are chemicals that result in rust and
corrosion such as in a chemical lab.
Handling Precautions