• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot G12
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Canon PowerShot G12 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon G11
G11 vs G12
 
Successor: Canon G15
G12 vs G15
 
General
Model Number: G12 ZS8
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Mid-Sized Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $499.99 $279.99
Street Price: $853.79 $259.48
Date Available: 2010-10-01 2011-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 14.2 oz (402 g)
includes batteries
7.4 oz (210 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.4 x 3.0 x 1.9 in.
(112 x 76 x 48 mm)
4.1 x 2.3 x 1.3 in.
(105 x 58 x 33 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 14.1
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch 1/2.33 inch
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 28.198mm2 (6.13mm x 4.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 2.08 microns 1.42 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3, 16:9
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  
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: 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)
4320 x 3240 (14.0 MP, 4:3),
4320 x 2880 (12.4 MP, 3:2),
4320 x 2432 (10.5 MP, 16:9),
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2432 (8.9 MP, 3:2),
3648 x 2056 (7.5 MP, Other),
3072 x 2304 (7.1 MP, 4:3),
3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 1728 (5.3 MP, 16:9),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1712 (4.4 MP, 3:2),
2560 x 1440 (3.7 MP, 16:9),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1360 (2.8 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), CR2 JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.0 1.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) QuckTime Motion JPEG
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes No
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens, 11 elements in 9 groups, 1 aspherical element LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR, 12 elements in 10 groups, 3 Aspherical
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 140mm 24 - 384mm
Focal Length (actual): 6.1 - 30.5mm 4.3 - 68.8mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.00x 16.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) / f/4.5 (T) - f/8.0 f/3.3 - 6.3 (W) / f/5.9 - 6.3 (T) Multistage Iris Diaphram
Integrated ND Filter: Yes No
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
3 cm to Infinity
1.2 in to Infinity
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x (Max. 64 x total combined with Extra Optical Zoom)
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: Face, AF Tracking, 23pt, 1pt, Spot
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: 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 No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.8 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 461,000 dots 230,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x  
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, 80 to 3200 in 1/3 EV steps; up to 12800 in 2.5-mp Low Light mode Auto, iISO, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600; High Sensitivity mode (ISO 1600-6400)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1/2, Underwater Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, White Set
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 60 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, Face Detect AE Intelligent Multiple, Center Weighted, Spot
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 Custom, SCN, My SCN2, My SCN1; Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Panorama Assist, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst (image priority/speed priority), Flash Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial, Pinhole, Film Grain, High Dynamic (standard/ art/ B&W), Photoframe, Under Water
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
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/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
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) 0.6 - 5.0m (Wide/ISO Auto), 1.0 - 2.8m (Tele/ISO Auto)
Max Flash Sync: 1/2000  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot-Shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: CR2  
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) QuckTime Motion JPEG
Included Memory: No memory included 70.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   built-in memory
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): HDMI mini out DC input
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.40 1.58
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): 2.0 1.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 3
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): 0.66 seconds 0.24 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.75 seconds 0.25 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.98 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.076 seconds 0.010 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 2.7 seconds 1.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.1 seconds 4.9 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 370 shots 340 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-7L Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable 3.6V, 895mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-7L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0, QuickTime, Adobe Reader, Super LoiLoScope ( trial version)
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista/7, Mac OS  
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. Power O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization), 3-inch LCD, 720p HD movies. Available in black and silver.