• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot G12
  • Nikon D5100
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Canon PowerShot G12 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon G11
G11 vs G12
Nikon D5000
D5000 vs D5100
Successor: Canon G15
G12 vs G15
Nikon D5200
D5100 vs D5200
General
Model Number: G12 D5100
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Mid-Sized SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $499.99 $899.95
Street Price: $853.79 $649.99
Date Available: 2010-10-01 2011-04-17
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 14.2 oz (402 g)
includes batteries
29.2 oz (829 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.4 x 3.0 x 1.9 in.
(112 x 76 x 48 mm)
5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1 in.
(128 x 97 x 79 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 16.2
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 368.16mm2 (23.60mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 2.08 microns 4.79 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 47 80
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 20.4 23.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.2 13.6
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 161 1,183
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)
4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
3696 x 2448 (9.0 MP, Other),
2464 x 1632 (4.0 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), CR2 JPEG (EXIF 2.3), NEF (RAW) 14-bits, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.0 3.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1920x1080 (30/​25/​24)
1280x720 (30/​25/​24)
640x424 (30/​25)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) MOV H.264/MPEG-4
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Nikon F
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens, 11 elements in 9 groups, 1 aspherical element NIKKOR AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 140mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 6.1 - 30.5mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) / f/4.5 (T) - f/8.0 f/3.5 -22 (W), f/5.6 -36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: Yes No
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes No
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x n/a
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) 11 point TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000; Single-point, Dynamic and Auto Area modes. One cross-type sensor.
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: Real-image optical zoom SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, ~95% coverage, ~0.78x magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens and infinity, -1.0m^1), 17.9mm eyepoint (-1.0m^1), -1.7 to +0.7 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.52x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   0.78x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.8 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 461,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes
Selfie Screen: Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 31.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   6400
Minimum ISO (native):   100
ISO Settings: Auto, 80 to 3200 in 1/3 EV steps; up to 12800 in 2.5-mp Low Light mode Auto, 100-6400, Hi-1=12800, Hi-2=25600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1/2, Underwater Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Manual
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE 3D Color Matrix Metering II (420-pixel RGB), Center-weighted (75% given to 8mm circle in the center), Spot (3.5mm circle (2.5%) centered on selected focus point)
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 Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Scene (Party/indoor, Beach/snow, Sunset, Dusk/dawn, Pet portrait, Candlelight, Blossom, Autumn colors, Food, Night portrait, Night landscape), Special Effects (Stills or D-movies: Silhouette, Selective Color, Night Vision, High Key, Low Key, Miniature Effect, Color Sketch).
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 2, 5, 10, 20 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 with red-eye reduction, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, red-eye reduction, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, rear-curtain with slow sync, rear-curtain sync, off; 18-300mm coveraqge
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1.6 ft.-23 ft./50 cm-7 m (W), 1.6-13 ft./50cm-4.0m (T) Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/2000 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot-Shoe Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: CR2 NEF (RAW) 14-bits, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) MOV H.264/MPEG-4
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
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 Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional ML-L3 IR Remote or MC-DC2 Remote Cord
Connections (extended): HDMI mini out HDMI Out (with CEC), Accessory Terminal for Wired Remote (MC-DC2) or GPS (GP-1), 3.5mm Stereo Mic Jack; DC-input via dummy battery AC adapter.
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.40 0.73
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 2.70 0.77
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.77
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.0 3.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 100
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   13
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   3.9
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   9
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.66 seconds 0.27 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.75 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   1.28 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.488 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.248 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.98 seconds 0.29 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.076 seconds 0.114 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Optical Viewfinder: Wide-area AF: 0.408s Live View: Full AF lag: 1.28s Prefocused: 0.49s
Startup Time: 2.7 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   0.4 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.1 seconds 4.0 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 370 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   660 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-7L Proprietary EN-EL14
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-7L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL14 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista/7, Mac OS Windows, 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. 3" Vari-angle 921K-dot LCD, Full HD Videos (up to 1920x1080@30fps), In-camera Special Effects, Night Vision mode, HDR, Active D-Lighting, 3.5mm External Stereo Mic socket.