Sony NEX-5 vs Canon G12

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Canon G12

• Larger sensor
  APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
  More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
• Bigger pixels
  ~ 5.16 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
• Fast startup
  ~1.00 vs 2.7 sec
  Faster startup lets you catch the moment
• Higher effective ISO

  Higher effective ISO

  Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

  Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

  You can learn more at our glossary entry.

  Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.

  NEX-5 test data on DxO Mark G12 test data on DxO Mark
  796 vs 161 iso
  Take photos in low light with less noise
• Manual focus
  Yes vs No
  AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
• More dots on screen
  922k vs 461k dots
  Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
• Less shutter lag
  0.44 vs 0.66 sec
  Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
• More pixels
  14.2 vs 10.0 megapixels
  Higher resolution photos
• 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
  2.7 fps vs 2.0 fps
  Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)