• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Canon G12 advantages over Nikon J5

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon J5 advantages over Canon G12

  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~2.00 vs 2.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    479 vs 161 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 48 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    9 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1037k 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.66 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.8 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

Review Excerpt

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.

  • No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.

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
Nikon J5
Canon G10
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon G11

Canon G12
Canon G11
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch
Nikon J5
Canon G11
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Nikon J5
Nikon P7000
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Canon G12
Samsung NX Mini
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon J5
Samsung NX Mini
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon J4

Canon G12
Nikon J4
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
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