• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1.5 inch 261.8mm2
  • 14.3 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon G12 advantages over Canon G1X

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    48 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    402g vs 543g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon G1X advantages over Canon G12

  • Larger sensor
    1.5 inch vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.30 vs 2.08 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.90 vs 2.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    644 vs 161 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    14.3 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.5 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Both provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Large-sensor image quality. Sharp lens with useful zoom range. Tilt/swivel LCD. Twin dials. Smaller than competing interchangeable-lens cameras with a similar lens. Lots of photographer-friendly features.

  • Not as small as you might hope. Mediocre burst shooting and autofocus speed. Far too easy to accidentally change exposure compensation. Viewfinder is of surprisingly little use. Battery life could be better.

The Competition

Compared to Canon G10

Canon G12
Canon G10
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Manual focus
Canon G1X
Canon G10
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Canon G11

Canon G12
Canon G11
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch
Canon G1X
Canon G11
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Nikon P7000

Canon G12
Nikon P7000
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
Canon G1X
Nikon P7000
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Canon G12
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon G1X
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon G1X Mark III

Canon G12
Canon G1X Mark III
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Canon G1X
Canon G1X Mark III
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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