Product Review: The Canon PowerShot G12 - Is it Worth the Investment?

The Canon PowerShot G12 is a versatile camera that has been around for over a decade, yet still remains a popular choice for photographers of all skill levels. In this post, we will provide an in-depth review of this camera, covering its features, performance, and value for money, using keywords that rank well on Google.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Canon PowerShot G12 article cover photo

Key Features

Jan 19 2011

Announced

10 megapixels

Resolution

BrandCanon
Sensor Type1/1.7-inch
SensorCCD
Weight401g
MSRP$499USD

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Overview of the PowerShot G12

When it comes to choosing a camera, there are countless options available on the market. However, the Canon PowerShot G12 has enduring popularity, making it a worthy contender for anyone in search of a reliable and high-quality camera. In this post, we will delve deeper into the features and specifications of the Canon PowerShot G12, while highlighting its value for money, ease of use, and overall performance. Whether you're a professional a hobbyist, or a beginner, this review will help you decide if the Canon PowerShot G12 is the right choice for your photography needs. So, let's dive in!

Canon PowerShot G12 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Canon PowerShot G12 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Advanced CCD sensor technology
Fast autofocus system
High-quality image stabilization
Large aperture range for low-light shots
Comprehensive manual controls
RAW format shooting capability
Tiltable LCD screen for flexible shooting angles
Optical viewfinder for more accurate framing
Professional-grade image quality
Compact and portable design

Cons

Non-interchangeable lens
Limited zoom capability
Unreliable flash in low-light conditions
Heavy noise at high ISO settings
Slow startup time
Mediocre video recording quality
Pricey compared to other point-and-shoot cameras
Short battery life
No touch screen interface
Limited wireless connectivity options.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Canon PowerShot G12

Weather sealed
Dimensions112 x 76 x 48mm
Weight401g
Thickness48mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Canon PowerShot G12 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderOptical (tunnel)
Screen TypeFully Articulated
Screen Resolution461k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fully articulated 2.80" screen, with a display resolution of 461k dots. This makes the Canon PowerShot G12 very suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you can view yourself while shooting selfies. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

PowerShot G12 includes a optical (tunnel) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of n/a and a magnification of n/a. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Canon PowerShot G12 has a 10MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 10 pixels. Canon PowerShot G12 has a native ISO range of 80 - 3200 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Jan 19 2011

Announced

80 - 3200

ISO Range

Sensor1/1.7-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution3648 x 2736 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

47 / 102

Color Depth

20.4 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

11.2 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

161 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Canon PowerShot G12 camera has average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the PowerShot G12 is poor

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/1.7-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus
Battery Life370 shots
Battery ModelNB-7L
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Canon PowerShot G12 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Canon PowerShot G12 uses the NB-7L model of battery pack. This is rated for 370 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Canon PowerShot G12 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Canon PowerShot G12 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Canon PowerShot G12 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 9 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Canon PowerShot G12?

The Canon PowerShot G12 features a CCD sensor

Is the Canon PowerShot G12 weather sealed?

No the PowerShot G12 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Canon PowerShot G12 announced?

The Canon PowerShot G12 was announced on Jan 19 2011

Does the Canon PowerShot G12 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the PowerShot G12 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Canon PowerShot G12?

The PowerShot G12 has a native ISO range of 80-3200, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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