Updated (January, 2012): Compare the Canon PowerShot G1X vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Canon PowerShot G12

64

"Excellent build quality"
dpreview.com | talking about the G12's build-quality
"We have no hesitation in saying that the G12 is the best Canon G-series camera to date, but its original USP - as a bridge between compact cameras and DSLRs - is in danger of being eroded."
dpreview.com | talking about the G12's overall-performance

Reasons to buy the Canon PowerShot G12

Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Lens
Supports 24p
24p movies
For that film look
Screen flips out
Flip-out screen
Great for movies
HDR
In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Macro focus
Great macro
1 cm
Viewfinder
Great viewfinder
Tunnel
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

40

"Default images out of the G3 are very good with regard to color fidelity and sharpness"
digitalcamerareview.com | talking about the DMC-G3's image-quality
"Otherwise, control placement seems logical and Panasonic has arranged them so as to present little potential for inadvertent activations"
digitalcamerareview.com | talking about the DMC-G3's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

True resolution
High true resolution
15.8 MP
Touch screen
Touch screen
Less buttons
Screen flips out
Flip-out screen
Great for movies
3D
Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Interchangeable lenses
Interchangeable lenses
Many lenses to choose from
Sensor cleaning
Self cleaning sensor
Avoids dust in your photos

differences

Advantages of the Canon G12

Image stabilization Image stabilization Lens vs None
Help
Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
Get that real film feel
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11.2 EV vs 10.6 EV
Help
0.6 f-stops more dynamic range
Battery life Longer battery life 370 shots vs 270 shots
Help
Around 40% more shots per battery charge
Size Slightly smaller 112x76x48 mm vs 115x84x47 mm
Help
More than 10% smaller
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $389.99 vs $499.87
Help
The best price we've seen is $110 cheaper (more than 20% less)
Canon PowerShot G12 Learn more about
the Canon G12

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-G3

Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps
Help
Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video at a higher frame rate
Touch screen Has a touch screen Yes vs No
Help
Fewer buttons to worry about and direct interaction with camera menus
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Screen size Larger screen 3.0" vs 2.8"
Help
Around 10% larger screen
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 15.8 MP vs 10 MP
Help
Capture around 60% more detail in your photos
Overall image quality Better image quality 56.0 vs 47.0
Help
Around 20% better image quality
Interchangeable lenses Has interchangeable lenses Yes vs No
Help
Can take advantage of a variety of lenses
Sensor size Larger sensor Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm vs 1/1.7" 7.6x5.7mm
Help
More than 5x larger sensor
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 667 ISO vs 161 ISO
Help
The DMC-G3 has excellent image quality 2.1 f-stops higher ISO than the G12
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
The DMC-G3's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor CMOS vs CCD
Help
CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
Color depth Better color depth 21 bits vs 20.4 bits
Help
Distinguishes 0.6 more bits of color
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 4 fps vs 2 fps
Help
2x faster continuous shooting
Longest exposure Much longer exposures 60s vs 15s
Help
4x longer exposures
Weight Lighter 336 g vs 401 g
Help
Around 20% lighter
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 293 ms vs 380 ms
Help
More than 20% less delay when taking photos
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-G3
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Canon PowerShot G12 Canon PowerShot G12
64 vs 40
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon PowerShot G12. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a pro digicam with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens.

advice

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2
votes
by Brad-Jones this month
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic DMC-G3

I am an expert beginner! I have been interested in photography all my life, with a parent who wo...

8 people recommend the Panasonic DMC-G3:

" Lumix its the best from those choice and U can get cheaper G1 or G2 "

" personally I have not been happy with the olympus's I have used.  I would check amazon or bhphot..."

One person recommends the Olympus E-PM1:

" GF1 or GX1 , because it is the best ;) I have one, beside of my 5D mkII."

1
votes
by jancasey last month
Nikon D3100 vs Panasonic DMC-G3

Total beginner.  Have only used "point and shoot" cameras before.  Looking for something that wi...

One person recommends the Nikon D3100:

" Without a doubt, the image quality of the Nikon, trumps the Panasonic to a point where the two a..."

0
votes
by Kathy-Smith last month
Canon G12 vs Olympus XZ-1

My last camera was a CANON A90. It no longer works.

One person recommends the Canon G12:

"Both cameras can shoot RAW images, but I think I would lean toward to the G12 because it is a bit ..."

2
votes
by Andy-Stone last month
Canon G12 vs Fujifilm X10

I'm looking for a camera for my partner, a wildlife officer. Any type is considered. It should...

0
votes
by Shirley-Boey last month
Canon G12 vs Samsung NX200

Used compact cameras for a long time. Very little SLR knowledge. Intend to take up photography les...

One person recommends the Canon G12:

"Hi Shirley, I wouldn't generally recommend the Samsung NX200 mirrorless camera, if you do want a m..."

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Supports RAW RAW support Help
Better editing
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Viewfinder Viewfinders Help
G12:Tunnel
DMC-G3:Digital
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/4000 of a second
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Color depth Poor color depth Help
G12:20.4 bits
DMC-G3:21 bits

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon PowerShot G1X

Canon PowerShot G1X

Boutique

$799 - $800

Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Thickness Is thicker
Macro focus Much worse macro focusing
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only

Thickness Is thinner
Viewfinder Doesn't have a viewfinder
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
Viewfinder Doesn't have a viewfinder
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
Viewfinder Doesn't have a viewfinder
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$547 with 10-30mm lens

Size Is slightly smaller
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Viewfinder Doesn't have a viewfinder
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens

Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$333 body only

$489 - $500 with 18-55mm lens

Color depth Has slightly more color depth
Sensor size Has a marginally larger sensor
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Thickness Is thicker

Canon PowerShot G12 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Powershot S100

Canon Powershot S100

Pro digicam

$356 - $430

Aperture Significantly wider aperture
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Battery life Shorter battery life
Nikon Coolpix P7100

Nikon Coolpix P7100

Pro digicam

$450

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Supports 24p No 24p support
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Canon Powershot SX40

Canon Powershot SX40

Super zoom

$347 - $380

Zoom Much more zoom
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Size Much larger
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR
Fujifilm Finepix X10

Fujifilm Finepix X10

Pro digicam

$599

Aperture Significantly wider aperture
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Supports 24p No 24p support
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Pro digicam

$350

Aperture Significantly wider aperture
Wide angle Significantly better wide angle
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Supports 24p No 24p support

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$643 - $1,125 body only

$739 - $964 with 14-42mm lens

HDR Has in-camera HDR
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Viewfinder No viewfinder
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$849 - $997 with 14-42mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Size Larger
Thickness Thicker
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$615 - $642 with 14-42mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Battery life Longer battery life
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Size Larger
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Overall image quality Significantly better image quality
Autofocus Faster autofocus
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Touch screen No touch screen

appearance

Canon PowerShot G12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
Canon PowerShot G12
Canon PowerShot G12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

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