• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot A580
  • Canon PowerShot G12
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Canon PowerShot G12 webpage
Predecessor:   Canon G11
G11 vs G12
Successor:   Canon G15
G12 vs G15
General
Model Number: A580 G12
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $149.99 $499.99
Street Price:   $853.79
Date Available: 2008-03-30 2010-10-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 7.9 oz (225 g)
includes batteries
14.2 oz (402 g)
includes batteries
Size: 3.7 x 2.6 x 1.6 in.
(94 x 66 x 41 mm)
4.4 x 3.0 x 1.9 in.
(112 x 76 x 48 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 8.0 10.0
Sensor Format: 1/2.5 inch 1/1.7 inch
Sensor size: 24.7104mm2 (5.76mm x 4.29mm) 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.76 microns 2.08 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type:   RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   47
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   20.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   11.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   161
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 1832 (6.0 MP, 16:9),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2432 (8.9 MP, 3:2),
3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.2), CR2
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.0 2.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (20)
320x240 (30)
160x120 (15)
1280x720 (24)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens (7 elements in 5 groups, 2 aspherical) Canon Zoom Lens, 11 elements in 9 groups, 1 aspherical element
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 35 - 140mm 28 - 140mm
Focal Length (actual): 5.8 - 23.2mm 6.1 - 30.5mm
Zoom Ratio: 4.00x 5.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.6 or f/7.1 (wide) / f/5.5 or f/14.0 (tele) f/2.8 (W) / f/4.5 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No Yes
Normal Focus Range: 45 cm to Infinity
17.7 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 45 cm
2.0 - 17.7 in
1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9- or 1-point Contrast Detect with Face Detect Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection; 9-point AiAF, 1-point (center for face select and track)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: Real-image optical zoom Real-image optical zoom
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 2.8
Rear Display Resolution: 115,000 dots 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, High ISO Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Auto, 80 to 3200 in 1/3 EV steps; up to 12800 in 2.5-mp Low Light mode
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1/2, Underwater
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot Metering (frame is fixed to the center), Face Detect Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No Yes
Shutter Priority: No Yes
Full Manual Exposure: No Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Night Scene, Sunset, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Sports, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Sunset, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium, Underwater, Color Accent, Color Swap, Stitch Assist., Special Scene, Low Light
Self Timer: 1 to 30 seconds 1 - 30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Flash On, Flash Off Auto, Auto w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro, Second-curtain synchro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 11 ft./3.5m (W), 7.2 ft./2.2m (T) Auto ISO: 1.6 ft.-23 ft./50 cm-7 m (W), 1.6-13 ft./50cm-4.0m (T)
Max Flash Sync: 1/500 1/2000
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot-Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   CR2
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): DC Input HDMI mini out
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 1.95 2.40
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   2.70
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.0 2.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.76 seconds 0.66 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 1.02 seconds 0.75 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 2.09 seconds 0.98 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.057 seconds 0.076 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.4 seconds 2.7 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 1.2 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 10.8 seconds 4.1 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 500 shots (NiMH AA) 370 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 2 x AA Proprietary NB-7L
Usable Battery Types: Alkaline disposable, NiMH rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 2 x AA Alkaline disposables 1 x Proprietary NB-7L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser, PhotoStitch, Drivers Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows XP SP3/Vista/7, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Motion Detection Technology: Active when using Easy Mode and High-ISO Auto, this feature detects motion in the scene for a more intelligent method of automatically selecting the ISO. If Motion Detection technology senses no motion (static subject), it will choose a lower ISO, and if it senses motion (moving subject), it will select a higher ISO for a faster shutter speed. Articulating LCD, Optical Image Stabilization, RAW Mode, 720p HD Videos, HDMI Out, Face, Blink, Motion Detection, Intelligent Contrast Correction, HDR Mode, Low Light Mode.