Canon PowerShot G12

Canon PowerShot G12
Pro digicam Pro digicam
September, 2010

Summary Canon G12

Prices Price
Camera only $398 - $496
all G12 prices
Score Snapsort rank
Within its price range #2 of 8 Among similar cameras #3 of 14
details details
Specifications Key specs
Zoom Help 5x Screen size Help 2.8"
Aperture Help f/2.8 Screen resolution Help 461k dots
Wide angle Help 28 mm Movie format Help 720p @ 24fps
see all specifications
Canon PowerShot G12Canon PowerShot G12

Replacement

Canon has replaced the PowerShot G12 with the G1X.

Canon PowerShot G1X
Canon PowerShot G1X announced January, 2012
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Overall image quality Better image quality

Compare the new Canon G1X vs the G12

reviewsWhat are people saying about the G12

"Fast and responsive in use"
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's auto-focus
"Good ergonomics"
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's feel
"Good image quality, useable results achievable up to ISO 3200"
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's iso-noise

Videos

Canon PowerShot G12 Review

Canon PowerShot G12 720p Low L...

Canon G12 High ISO Sample
Canon PowerShot G12 Review
  • Review
  • Pro
  • Ergonomics
 Canon PowerShot G12 720p Low Light Sample
  • Sample video
  • Low light
  • 720p HD
 Canon G12 High ISO Sample
  • Sample video
  • Zoom
  • Manual focus
  • 720p HD

Browse all Canon G12 videos

Pros

The Canon G12 vs other recent digicams

Supports RAW Shoots RAW Help
Better editing
Overall image quality Great overall image quality Help
47.0
Color depth Good color depth Help
20.4 bits
Supports 24p 24p movies Help
For that film look
HDR In-camera HDR Help
Combines multiple exposures
Battery life Above average battery life Help
370 shots
Fastest shutter speed Fast shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Popularity Very popular Help
Among snapsort users
Sensor size Very large sensor Help
1/1.7" 7.6x5.7mm
Aperture Wide aperture Help
f/2.8
Dynamic range Wide dynamic range Help
11.2 EV
Image stabilization Image stabilization Help
Lens
Screen flips out Flip-out screen Help
Great for movies
Macro focus Good macro Help
1 cm
Viewfinder Doesn't use battery, see more detail Help
Tunnel
External flash External flash Help
Better lighting

The Canon G12 vs other recent pro digicams

Lowest price Inexpensive Help
$397.77

Cons

The Canon G12 vs other recent digicams

Zoom Below average zoom Help
5x
3D Doesn't take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Thickness Thick Help
1.9"
Announced Old Help
September, 2010
Lowest price Expensive Help
$397.77
Size Slightly large Help
Mid size 112x76x48 mm
High-speed framerate High speed movies Help
Not supported
Touch screen No touch screen Help
More buttons
Weight Heavy Help
401 g

The Canon G12 vs other recent pro digicams

Movie format HD movies Help
720p @ 24fps
Screen size Small screen Help
2.8"
Screen resolution Low resolution screen Help
461k dots
True resolution Lower true resolution Help
10 MP
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
2 fps
Sensor type Sensor type Help
CCD
Light sensitivity (boost) Lacks boost light sensitivity Help
None
Aperture Narrow aperture Help
f/2.8
Wide angle Poor wide angle lens Help
28 mm
Screen type Screen type Help
LCD
Panorama Lacks in-camera panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Longest exposure Short exposures Help
15 seconds

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DXOMark

Appearance

front photo of the Canon PowerShot G12back photo of the Canon PowerShot G12angle photo of the Canon PowerShot G12

Discussion What do you think about the Canon PowerShot G12?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of this camera here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 8 comments

Avatar for Terry Day Terry Day (6:11 AM, January 10, 2012)
This is a great camera, but why Canon chose to add video to a camera and not have optical video zoom just confuses me. As in, REALLY? I rarely use the video on these things, and I usually prefer Canon in general, but I opted for the Nikon 7100 because I can't fathom why in heaven's name Canon would do something so incredibly stupid.
 
Dok418 (7:02 AM, January 20, 2011)
Just got a G12 most based on reviews from this site, thank you Snapsort! Anyway, There are a number of external flash units that can work with the G12, I've even tried my old Nikon SLR flash (not recommended since the voltage is different) and it also works. As for the other attachments, the G12 can be fitted with a ring adapter that accommodates either a telephoto lens, a macro lens, filters and a macro flash unit.

So far, the camera has performed beautifully, even without its lens attachments. I still haven't tried out half of what it can do though, like taking pictures in fully manual settings, etc.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (4:26 PM, December 14, 2010)
The G12 can be fitted with an external flash (Snapsort mentions that above!), as far as zoom lens I'm not sure, we'd love to hear back if you find out!
 
Moonlighting_SemiPro (4:14 PM, December 14, 2010)
What about Possible Ad-ons? For some reason I was under teh impression that the G12 could be fitted with a zoom lens and an external flash, but there is no mention of it here. That would help me decide between cameras if on ecould be built-on more than another.
 
Vinnie (1:41 AM, October 21, 2010)
Na, I've got it down to either the T2i or this one .. but the difference is the size for travel. I don't know if I could get into packing around the bigger dslr plus the lens, even around home. I know the trade off for the smaller size is the features / manual control but I just don't know if I would benefit from the extra bells and whistles. Those mirrorless cams are getting more appealing but I want one like the GF1 only with a built-in VF.
 
Noel (0:43 AM, October 20, 2010)
have you decided on which camera to get yet?
 
Vinnie (8:05 PM, September 29, 2010)
Hi there, I'm considering a new camera and the G series from Canon caught my eye. I'm looking for something that will provide high res shots, but I need it to be lighter and smaller than a DSLR for travel, would this be suitable? I hope to practice with manual settings as well, eg. longer exposure shots, night shots, and landscapes. I've considered entry level DSLR's but the idea of larger lenses and carrying them around in my backpack seems a bit too cumbersome, am I headed in the right direction with pro-digicams? The mirrorless cams are intriguing but lack the features I'm lookin for, eg. viewfinder. The Nikon P7000 is similar in price range and features, I'm considering that one as well, but I'm sort of bias towards Nikon as I own two point and shoot compacts from Nikon and I am very impressed with them both. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
 
Pingupenguins (11:12 PM, September 14, 2010)
If you could add a new section concerning HDR imaging and Hybrid IS that would be great. Also people should know that its not screen size that is better its the pixel count.
Thanks!