• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 115.3mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Canon G12 advantages over Nikon S2

  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 270 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

Nikon S2 advantages over Canon G12

  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.85 vs 2.08 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
    29 mm vs 48 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    190g vs 402g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    14.2 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
    60.0 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
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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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Review Excerpt

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

Compare Canon G12 vs Canon G10

Nikon S2
Canon G10
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Canon G10

Compared to Canon G11

Canon G12
Canon G11
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch

Compare Canon G12 vs Canon G11

Nikon S2
Canon G11
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Canon G11

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

Compare Canon G12 vs Nikon P7000

Nikon S2
Nikon P7000
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Nikon P7000

Compared to Pentax Q7

Canon G12
Pentax Q7
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon G12 vs Pentax Q7

Nikon S2
Pentax Q7
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Pentax Q7

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Canon G12
Pentax Q-S1
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon G12 vs Pentax Q-S1

Nikon S2
Pentax Q-S1
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Pentax Q-S1

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