• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot G12
  • Canon PowerShot G16
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Canon PowerShot G12 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon G11
G11 vs G12
Canon G15
G15 vs G16
Successor: Canon G15
G12 vs G15
 
General
Model Number: G12 G16
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Mid-Sized Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $499.99 $499.99
Street Price: $853.79 $499.00
Date Available: 2010-10-01 2013-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 14.2 oz (402 g)
includes batteries
12.5 oz (355 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.4 x 3.0 x 1.9 in.
(112 x 76 x 48 mm)
4.3 x 3.0 x 1.6 in.
(109 x 76 x 40 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 12.1
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch 1/1.7 inch
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 2.08 microns 1.90 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 47 54
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 20.4 21.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.2 11.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 161 230
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 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)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
2400 x 3000 (7.2 MP, Other),
1696 x 2112 (3.6 MP, Other),
960 x 1200 (1.2 MP, Other),
384 x 480 (0.2 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), CR2 JPEG (EXIF 2.2), 12-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.0 12.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1920x1080 (60p/​30p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (120p/​30p)
320x240 (240p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) MP4 (Video: H.264, Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (stereo))
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens, 11 elements in 9 groups, 1 aspherical element Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 140mm 28 - 140mm
Focal Length (actual): 6.1 - 30.5mm 6.1 - 30.5mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.00x 5.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) / f/4.5 (T) - f/8.0 f/1.8 (W) / f/2.8 (T) - f/8.0; plus 3-stop ND filter
Integrated ND Filter: Yes Yes
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a 58.0mm
Thread Type: n/a Via optional lens adapter
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection; 9-point AiAF, 1-point (center for face select and track) 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: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: Real-image optical zoom Real-image optical zoom; Picture coverage: approx. 80%; Eyepoint: 15mm; Dioptic Adjustment Range: -3.0 - +1.0m
Focus Peaking: No Yes
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): 2.8 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 461,000 dots 922,000 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   12800
Minimum ISO (native):   80
ISO Settings: Auto, 80 to 3200 in 1/3 EV steps; up to 12800 in 2.5-mp Low Light mode Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1/2, Underwater Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1/2, Underwater
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 250 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot; Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: 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 SCN: Portrait, Smart Shutter, Star (Star Nightscape, Star Trails, Star Time-Lapse Movie), Handheld Night Scene, Underwater, Snow, Fireworks; Creative Filters: High Dynamic Range (Natural, Art Bold, Art Embossed, Art Standard and Art Vivid), Nostalgic, Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Background Defocus, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 1 - 30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: 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 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: 1.6 ft.-23 ft./50 cm-7 m (W), 1.6-13 ft./50cm-4.0m (T) Auto ISO: 1.6 ft.-23 ft./50 cm-7 m (W), 1.6-15 ft./50cm-4.5m (T)
Max Flash Sync: 1/2000 1/2000
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot-Shoe Hot-Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: CR2 12-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) MP4 (Video: H.264, Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (stereo))
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
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,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional RS-60E3 remote cable switch
Connections (extended): HDMI mini out Combined USB/AV, Mini (Type C) HDMI, wired remote terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.40 1.05
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 2.70 1.27
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   1.38
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.0 12.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 5
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   1.8
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   39
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   1.6
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   37
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.66 seconds 0.31 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.75 seconds 0.27 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.265 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.98 seconds 0.68 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.076 seconds 0.066 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 2.7 seconds 1.8 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   0.8 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.1 seconds 2.5 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 370 shots 360 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   770 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-7L Proprietary NB-10L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-7L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-10L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista/7, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS X
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Articulating LCD, Optical Image Stabilization, RAW Mode, 720p HD Videos, HDMI Out, Face, Blink, Motion Detection, Intelligent Contrast Correction, HDR Mode, Low Light Mode. Revised sensor, DIGIC 6 processor, upgraded 60p Full HD movies, built-in Wi-Fi.