• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 900.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot G12
  • Nikon Coolpix B500
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Canon PowerShot G12 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon G11
G11 vs G12
Nikon L840
L840 vs B500
Successor: Canon G15
G12 vs G15
Nikon B600
B500 vs B600
General
Model Number: G12 B500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Mid-Sized Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $499.99 $299.95
Street Price: $853.79 $321.95
Date Available: 2010-10-01 2016-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 14.2 oz (402 g)
includes batteries
19.1 oz (541 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.4 x 3.0 x 1.9 in.
(112 x 76 x 48 mm)
4.5 x 3.1 x 3.8 in.
(114 x 78 x 96 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 16.1
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 2.08 microns 1.34 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG  
Anti Aliasing Filter:   None
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)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), CR2 JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.0 7.4
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1920x1080 (60i/​50i/​30p/​25p)
1280x720 (30p/​25p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (15p/​12.5p)
640x480 (120p/​100p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) MP4 (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC stereo)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens, 11 elements in 9 groups, 1 aspherical element Zoom-Nikkor ED VR; 12 elements in 9 groups including 3 ED elements
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 140mm 23 - 900mm
Focal Length (actual): 6.1 - 30.5mm 4 - 160mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.00x 40.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) / f/4.5 (T) - f/8.0 f/3.0 or f/6.0 (wide) / f/6.5 or f/13 (tele), via electronically controlled ND filter (-2.0 AV)
Integrated ND Filter: Yes No
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
30 cm to Infinity
11.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
1 cm to Infinity
0.4 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; 2x Dynamic Fine 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 Detection: Center, Face priority, Manual with 99 focus areas, Subject tracking, Target Finding AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / 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 921,000 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x  
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   6400
Minimum ISO (native):   125
ISO Settings: Auto, 80 to 3200 in 1/3 EV steps; up to 12800 in 2.5-mp Low Light mode Auto, 125, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200*, 6400*; *Available when using Auto mode
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1/2, Underwater Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Preset Manual
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 15 sec 1/1500 - 1 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 Matrix, Center-weighted (digital zoom less than 2x), Spot (digital zoom 2X or more)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes No
Shutter Priority: Yes No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
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 Smart Portrait, Backlighting, Beach, Bird-watching, Close-up, Dusk/Dawn, Easy Panorama, Fireworks Show, Food, Landscape, Moon, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Scene Auto Selector, Short Movie Show, Snow, Sports, Sunset, Special Effects
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 10 or 2 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 w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off, Flash On, w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; Slow Syncro
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) Auto ISO: [W]: 0.5 to 6.9m [T]: 1.5 to 3.5m
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:   No
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) MP4 (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC stereo)
Included Memory: No memory included 20.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   Internal
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
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,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No Yes
Remote Control Type:   Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): HDMI mini out Micro (Type-D) HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.40  
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
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.0 7.4
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 7
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  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.75 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  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 2.7 seconds  
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.1 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 370 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-7L 4 x AA
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Alkaline, Lithium disposables; NiMH rechargeables
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-7L Lithium-ion rechargeable 4 x Alkaline AAs
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM  
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. Available in black and red.