• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 16,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot G12
  • Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Canon PowerShot G12 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon G11
G11 vs G12
Sony NEX-3
NEX-3 vs NEX-3N
Successor: Canon G15
G12 vs G15
Sony A5000
NEX-3N vs A5000
General
Model Number: G12 NEX-3N
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Mid-Sized Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $499.99 $500.00
Street Price: $853.79 $448.99
Date Available: 2010-10-01 2013-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 14.2 oz (402 g)
includes batteries
13.7 oz (389 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.4 x 3.0 x 1.9 in.
(112 x 76 x 48 mm)
4.3 x 2.4 x 1.4 in.
(110 x 62 x 35 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony Exmor APS HD
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 16.1
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 2.08 microns 4.78 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 74
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 20.4 22.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.2 12.5
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 161 1,067
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)
4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9),
3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other),
3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), CR2 JPEG, MPO, .ARW 2.3 RAW, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.0 4.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1920x1080 (60i or 24p (24/​17Mbps))
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) AVCHD / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Sony E
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens, 11 elements in 9 groups, 1 aspherical element Sony SELP1650 PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS; 9 elements in 8 groups, 4 aspheric surfaces
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 140mm 24 - 75mm
Focal Length (actual): 6.1 - 30.5mm 16 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.00x 3.13x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) / f/4.5 (T) - f/8.0 f/3.5 - f/22 (W) / f/5.6 - f/36 (T); 7-blade circular aperture
Integrated ND Filter: Yes No
Normal Focus Range: 5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a 40.5mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital 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 Detect: Multi Point (25 points), Center, Flexible Spot, with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: Real-image optical zoom  
Focus Peaking: No Yes
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 460,800 dots (153,600 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen:
Selfie Screen:
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 13.6x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   16000
Minimum ISO (native):   200
ISO Settings: Auto, 80 to 3200 in 1/3 EV steps; up to 12800 in 2.5-mp Low Light mode Auto, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1/2, Underwater Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temp./Filter, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE 1200-zone Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot
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 Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Handheld Twilight, Anti Motion Blur; Picture Effects: Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Mono, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Mono, Miniature; Sweep Panorama
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 2, 10, Self-portrait, 3 or 5 shots after 10 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 Flash Off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow sync., Rear-Sync.; Red-eye Reduction On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 4.0 m / 13.1 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 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot-Shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: CR2 .ARW 2.3 RAW, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) AVCHD / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
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
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): HDMI mini out Micro HDMI (Type D)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.40 0.79
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 2.70 0.90
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):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.0 4.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 6
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 0.27 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):   0.108 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.98 seconds 0.39 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.076 seconds 0.022 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Full Autofocus lag, Multi-area AF mode = 0.270s
Startup Time: 2.7 seconds 2.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   1.0 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.1 seconds 1.8 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 370 shots 480 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-7L Proprietary InfoLithium NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-7L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM PlayMemories Home, Image Data Converter 4
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista/7, Mac OS Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7 SP1/8; Mac OS X v10.5 or later. (Software is Windows only.)
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. World's smallest, lightest interchangeable lens camera with APS-C sensor, 3" 460K-dot tilting LCD, Full HD 1080i60 video. Available in black or white.