Canon PowerShot G12

Category:	Type:	Image Sensor	:
Point-and-Shoot	Compact	Optical Zoom	:
Beginner	Ultra Compact	Image Stabilization	:
Serious	Ultra Zoom	Display	:
Advanced	DSLR	Shooting Mode	:
Pro	DIL	Movie	:
		Price check…	:

Best of the PowerShots. The Canon PowerShot G12 improves on the popular G11 with the addition of a Control Dial and Full HD Movie at 1280 x 720 pixels @ 24fps. Other new features include Tracking AF, In-camera HDR and a useful Electronic Horizon.

Otherwise, the PowerShot G12 features the same 10MP resolution (1/1.7-in. CCD), 5x wide-angle optical zoom (28-140mm equiv.), built-in optical image stabilization, and a 7.1-cm (2.8-in.) Vari-angle LCD display screen (461k-dot). Shooting modes include AUTO, PASM and Scene Modes. RAW is available. You should be able to get noise-free images up to ISO 400 and acceptable results at ISO 800.

A note about video: there is no zooming during movie recording and AF is fixed.

If you are considering the G12, take a look also at its direct competitor, the Panasonic LX5. For more manual controls and interchangeable lenses in a compact body, you might also want to consider the “compact mirrorless” Digital Interchangeable Lens (DIL) cameras such as the Olympus E-PL2, the Panasonic GF2 and the Sony NEX-5.

The Canon PowerShot G12 is a compact digital camera for the serious photographer, allowing full exposure flexibility and creative freedom. Until [If] Canon introduces its DIL models, the G12 will remain the best of the PowerShots. Choose it if you want a compact camera that does not compromise on image quality. The G12 is priced at about US $500 (CAD $570).