Average Camera Review Rating [13 reviews]
Cameras In The Article
On September 15 2010, Canon announced the PowerShot G12 and the PowerShot SX30 IS. These cameras offer enthusiast-focused features like RAW shooting and manual exposure modes.
The G12 features a 10 Megapixels sensor and will be equipped with a 2.8-inch 460k-dot LCD, Digic IV image processor, and a 5x optical zoom, covering a range equivalent to 28-140mm. The G12 will now finally have 720p HD video capture capabilities along with the HS (High Sensitivity) SYSTEM for shooting photos under low-light conditions. The G12 also comes with a HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode which will layer three images together that have been captured using a tripod. The Canon PowerShot G12 is listed at $499.99 and currently selling at around $440 (went up from $430 about 2 months ago). Here is the summary of review by PhotographicCentral:
"The G12 may lack the resolution power of most current DSLRS and even some compacts (hello G10), but what it loses in 'some' resolution and detail for very large prints, it makes up for in dynamic range, tonality, pleasing color, and full-of-life images, especially in raw files. The lens is suited for a wide range of composition opportunities and is very sharp corner to corner especially at f/4 where I find the lens' sweet spot to be. If you want to go wider, you do have choices from third party makers for wide angle lens attachments, and the bayonet style mount on the G12 gives you the further impression you are packing a mini-DSLR. I have an Opteka .45x HD2 lens that I use, and I find it to be very acceptable (not to be confused with exceptional). Otherwise, the 28mm focal length is wide enough for most of my composition needs for landscapes.
Often I am asked what camera I'd recommend when buyers are looking for a new camera. Two compacts come to mind that I have recommended, and will continue to recommend to others- the Canon G12 for more serious shooting/shooters and features, and the Panasonic ZS5 for a slim ultralight affordable solution. That's it. Why fiddle with others when you can get the best overall compact for the dollar right from the outset? Canon's G12 is a refined G series camera with rich heritage, and it represents Canon's flagship compact camera position perfectly. It is truly worthy of the G badge inset on it's grip. It is a practical, versatile, sexy, photographic solution for anyone wanting to delve into serious photography for the first time, or those who prefer to have a smaller camera system in addition to their DSLR system. The G12 won't do everything, and no camera can. Yet the G12 will do a lot more things than most cameras will, and do them very well. On top of that the G12 can be taken anywhere with you. Like they say, the best camera is the one you have with you. It just so happens that statement is true two-fold when you are talking about the G12. The G12 ranks up there as one of my favorite cameras of all time, and it might even have taken that title solely."
 |  |  | |
| Manufacturer | Canon | Canon | Nikon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Powershot G11 | Powershot G12 | Coolpix P7000 |
| Style | Advanced Compact | Advanced Compact | Advanced Compact |
| Megapixels | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.1 |
| LCD Screen | 2.8-inch TFT color, with wide viewing angle with Approx. 461,000 pixels | 2.8-inch TFT color LCD (Vari-angle type with wide-viewing angle) with Approx. 461,000 pixels | 3.0 inch LCD with 921,000 dots |
| Memory Cards | SD/SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard, MMCplus card, HC MMCplus card | SD/SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard, MMC Plus Card, HC MMC Plus Card | SD, SDHC, SDXC |
| Resolution | Still Image: 3,648 x 2,736 (Large); 2,816 x 2112 (Medium 1); 2,272 x 1,704 (Medium 2); 1,600 x 1,200 (Medium 3); 640 x 480 (Small); 3,648 x 2,048 (Wide); 3,648 x 2,736 (RAW); 1,824 x 1,368 (Medium*) * | Still Image: 16:9 Large: 3648 x 2048 Medium 1: 2816 x 1584 Medium 2: 1920 x 1080 Small: 640 x 360 3:2 Large: 3648 x 2432 Medium 1: 2816 x 1880 Medium 2: 1600 x 1064 Small: 640 x 424 | 3648 x 2736 (4:3) 3648 x 2432 (3:2) 3584 x 2016 (16:9) 2736 x 2736 (1:1) 3264 x 2448 2592 x 1944 2048 x 1536 1600 x 1200 1280 x 960 1024 x 768 640 x 480 1024 x 768 |
| File Formats | Still Image: Exif 2.2 (JPEG) RAW (CR2 Canon Original)) Movie: MOV (Image: H.264; Audio data: Linear PCM (monaural)) | Still Image: Exif 2.3 (JPEG), RAW (CR2 Canon Original))* * Images processed with DPP. Videos: MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio data: Linear PCM (Stereo)) | JPEG (Exif v2.2), RAW, Movie: MOV [H.264 + Linear PCM (monaural)] |
| Focal Length | 5x zoom, 6.1 (W) - 30.5mm (35mm film equivalent: 28 (W) - 140 (T) mm) | 5x zoom, 6.1 (W) - 30.5 (T) mm (35mm film equivalent: 28 (W) - 140 (T) mm) | 7.1x zoom, f = 6.0 - 42.6 mm (28-200mm, 35mm equiv) |
| Shutter Speed | 15-1/4000 sec. (Total shutter speed range; settable in Tv and M) | 1 - 1/4000 sec. | Auto (1 - 2/2000 sec), 60-1/2000 sec |
| Aperture | f/2.8 (W) - f/4.5 (T) | f/2.8 (W) - f/4.5 (T) | F2.8-5.6 |
| ISO Sensitivity | ISO Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 | ISO Auto, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 320, 400, 500, 640, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3200 | Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 |
| White Balance Settings | Auto (including Face Detection WB), Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom1, Custom2, Underwater, White Balance Correction | Auto*, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Underwater, Custom1, Custom2 *Facial color is evaluated in Face AiAF (Face Detect WB). | Auto , Daylight , Incandescent , Fluorescent FL1 , Fluorescent FL2 , Fluorescent FL3 , Cloudy , Flash , Manual (Kelvin adjustment) , Custom 1/2/3 |
| Flash Modes | Auto, Flash On, Flash Off, Slow Sync, Red-eye reduction | Auto, on, Slow Synchro, off, Red-eye Reduction, FE Lock | Auto, Auto with red-eye reduction, Fill flash, Manual (1/64 - full power), Slow sync, Rear curtain sync |
| Flash Range | 1.6 ft.-23 ft./50 cm-7 m (W), 1.6-13 ft./50cm-4.0m (T) | 1.6 - 23 ft. (50cm - 70m) (W), 1.6 - 13 ft. (50cm - 4.0m (T) | 8m |
| Shooting Modes | Auto, Program AE, Shutter Priority AE, Aperture Priority AE, Manual, Custom (2 modes), Special Scene, Stitch Assist, Low Light, Quick Shot, Movie | Smart AUTO, P, Tv, Av, M, C1, C2, Low Light, Quick Shot, SCN*1, Movie*2 1 Portrait, Landscape, Kids & Pets, Sports, Smart Shutter*3, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap, High Dynamic Range, Nostalgic, Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Beach, Underwater, Foliage, Snow, Fireworks | 18 Scene Modes, Auto , Portrait , Landscape , Sports , Night portrait , Party/indoor , Beach , Snow , Sunset , Dusk/dawn , Night landscape , Close-up , Food , Museum , Fireworks show , Copy , Backlighting , Panorama assist |
| Maximum Movie Resolution | 640 x 480 @ 30fps, 320 x 240 @ 30fps | 640 x 480 @ 30fps, 320 x 240 @ 30fps | 1280 x 720 @ 24fps, 640 x 480 @ 30fps, 320 x 240 @ 30fps |
| Maximum Movie Frames Per Second | 30 fps | 30 fps | 24/30 fps |
| Maximum Movie Duration | Up to 4GB or 1 hour | Up to 4GB or 1 hour | To capacity of memory card |
| Macro Focus | 0.4 in.-1.6 ft./1-50cm | 0.4 in. - 1.6 ft./1 - 50cm (W), 12 in. - 1.6 ft./30 - 50cm (T) | 0.8 inches. |
| Metering | Evaluative*1, Center-weighted average, spot*2 *1 Facial brightness is also evaluated in Face Detect AiAF. *2 Fixed to center or linked to the AF frame. | Evaluative*1, Center-weighted average, Spot*2 *1 Facial brightness is evaluated (Face Detect AE) in Face AiAF. *2 Fixed to Center, linked to AF frame. | Matrix, Center-weighted average, Spot (center), Spot AF area |
| Image Stabilization | Yes (Lens-Shift) | Yes (Lens-Shift) | Yes, Lens-Shift |
| Self Timer | 2 or 10 sec, Custom or FaceSelf Timer | Custom* *Delay time (0 - 15 sec. (in one-second increments), 20/25/30 sec.) and number of shots | 2/10 seconds, Smile Self Timer |
| Video Out (TV Playback) | Yes, NTSC/PAL (dedicated connector (female) with unified type of digital, audio and video) | Yes, Analog: NTSC/PAL, digital: HDMI mini connector | Yes |
| Batteries | Rechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-7L | Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery NB-7L | Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL14 |
| Dimensions | 4.41 x 3.00 x 1.90 in. / 112.1 x 76.2 x 48.3mm | 4.41 x 3.00 x 1.90 in. / 112.1 x 76.2 x 48.3mm | 3.8 x 2.4 x 0.8 in. / 96.5 x 60.5 x 20 mm |
| Weight | 12.5 oz. / 355g | 12.4 oz. / 351g | 4.9oz. / 140g |
| Other Info | Continuous Shooting Normal: approx. 1.1 fps; AF: approx. 0.7 fps; LV: approx. 0.8 fps (Large/Fine) | Continuous Shooting Normal: Approx. 2.0 shots/sec. (when shooting in P mode), Approx. 4.2 shots/sec. (when shooting in Low Light mode) AF: Approx. 0.7 shots/sec. (when shooting in P mode), Approx. 1.0 shots/sec. (when shooting in Low Light mode) LV: Approx. 0.8 shots/sec. (when shooting in P mode), Approx. 1.2 shots/sec. (when shooting in Low Light mode) | Continuous shooting up to 45 pictures at approx. 1.3 fps at full resolution |
| Release Date | 2009-08-19 | 2010-09-15 | 2010-09-08 |
Canon Powershot G12 Sample Photos on Flickr
Canon Powershot G12 Camera Reviews Roundup
| Digital Camera Info: "Color accuracy is always a bit of a sticking point among photographers. Most would rather capture colors that are as true to life as possible, a viewpoint that most high-end cameras aspire to. The G series from Canon seems to ignore this logic, however, as both the G12 and its predecessor could only manage a color error of around 3.8, when we typically look for errors under 3 from premium models. In truth, even basi..." - Sep 13 2011 More » | |
| CNET US: "It retains an almost identical design to the G11, including the usable optical viewfinder and large, easy-to-turn dials. A relatively functional design, I like it save a few caveats. In addition to giving the camera a retro feel, the dials on the G12 are, for the most part, practical and much faster to use than even direct-access buttons, which always require at least some navigation. Though a few ounces lighter tha..." - Feb 12 2011 More » | |
| MacWorld: "You also get a full boat of manual controls: aperture priority, shutter priority, and independent control of each of them in Manual mode. The G12 offers a focus bracketing mode that snaps three shots in rapid succession at different focal lengths. You also get a high-dynamic-range (HDR) scene mode that brings out detail in shadowy scenes and creates otherworldly-looking shots, and an exposure bracketing mode, i..." - Feb 04 2011 More » | |
| Trusted Reviews: "Although the G12 might be pitched as a reliable back up for an enthusiast's DSLR, operational speed falls short of a lightning fast DSLR proper, and so there are frustrations in swapping from one to the other. Chiefly we felt auto focus could have been a bit quicker to lock on. Squeeze the nipple-like shutter release button halfway and following the briefest of pauses the AF point is highlighted in green accompanied..." - Feb 04 2011 More » |
Canon Powershot G12 Reviews Roundup [Total 21 Reviews] »
Canon Powershot G12 Camera Recent User Reviews
Fabulous, Rebecca Dresser Hege - May 09 2013
This camera is perfect for close-ups and for photographing my artwork. Does a great job and isn't too hard to learn. But don't expect to take good distance shots with it because it just doesn't have the lens for it. Otherwise, I highly recommend it....
I love it! As simple or As complex as you want to be, Angela M. Yancy - Apr 20 2013
This is a great camera I love the auto setting and also the manual one too. The CHDK hack ups the setting range and unlocks the be all end all for this camera. It looks good and has that old school boxy heavy feel. It has a great zoom and the hot shoe for flashes and bayonet for wide angles and telephoto lens which is amazing. Down side it is heavy for some and has a nic...
Excellent High-End Compact Camera, F. Andrew Anderson - Apr 14 2013
I have had a G10 for some time, but for use with an underwater housing I needed a G12. It is improved in a number of ways over the G10, and worked flawlessly for underwater photography. I am going to use it as my main camera now....
Great little camera, David Simmonds - Apr 11 2013
I have several cameras and this one is great when I don't want to carry my 6D and all the lenses. Takes a great picture and is small enough to take almost anywhere....
More Canon Powershot G12 User Reviews »
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