Canon PowerShot G12 vs Canon PowerShot S200: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

When it comes to compact cameras still worthy of enthusiasts’ attention, the Canon PowerShot G12 and the Canon PowerShot S200 stand out as intriguing rivals from the same manufacturer, but from different generations and design philosophies. Having had extensive hands-on time evaluating both cameras over the years - from controlled lab tests to real-world shoots - I’m excited to share a detailed comparison to help you understand the strengths and compromises of each.

These models occupy a niche that’s often overlooked but important for photographers who want pocketable versatility without surrendering manual control or image quality. Below, we will explore all aspects of their performance, design, and value across major photography types - including portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and video - offering a granular perspective on where each camera shines.

Solid Foundations: Design, Build Quality & Handling

Starting with the physicality of these models, the Canon G12 reveals itself as the more substantial, a traditional enthusiast compact camera that feels robust in-hand. Its dimensions (112 x 76 x 48 mm) and weight (401g) lend it a substantial grip and reassurance for longer shoots, and the classic retro-inspired design is both aesthetically appealing and functional. The fully articulating 2.8-inch screen and optical tunnel viewfinder add to its versatility in composition.

In contrast, the S200 is noticeably smaller and lighter at 100 x 59 x 26 mm and 181g, designed to truly slip into a pocket or purse with ease. This streamlined build sacrifices the viewfinder entirely and features a fixed 3-inch LCD with the same 461k-dot resolution as the G12. The S200’s compact form emphasizes portability but at the expense of physical controls - it’s less aggressive ergonomically and can feel fiddly for photographers with larger hands or those used to more tactile switches and dials.

From a control-laying standpoint, the G12 still embraces dials and buttons, with dedicated rings for manual focus, zoom, and exposure compensation that allow rapid adjustments without menu diving. The S200, conversely, relies on a more button- and menu-driven interface with fewer physical controls, making it approachable but less intuitive for quick, on-the-fly settings tweaks.

While the S200 is handier for casual travel or street photography requiring discretion, the G12's heftier chassis will appeal to photographers who value handling precision and an analog shooting experience on a compact scale.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Performance

Both models feature essentially similar 1/1.7-inch-sized CCD sensors measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm, translating to a 41.52 mm² surface area with a 4.8x crop factor compared to full frame. Each renders 10 megapixels at a maximum resolution of 3648 x 2736 pixels. At first glance, the resolution parity might suggest similar output, but the devil is in the details.

The G12 sports Canon’s older DIGIC 4 image processor, whereas the S200 boasts the newer DIGIC 5 chip - a noteworthy upgrade that brings improvements in noise control, color reproduction, and processing speed. The G12’s sensor supports shooting in RAW, a crucial feature for those who want maximum post-processing latitude; the S200 does not, limiting users to JPEGs, an important consideration for professionals or enthusiasts focused on workflow flexibility.

Dynamic range performance on the G12 is rated at around 11.2 EV (via DxO Mark), a respectable figure for this sensor class, delivering decent highlight recovery especially useful for landscape and high-contrast scenes. Meanwhile, the S200’s exact DxO scores aren’t published, but the DIGIC 5 processor generally improves low-light sensitivity and noise handling with extended ISO capability - up to 6400 native ISO, compared to the G12’s ceiling at ISO 3200.

Color depth also favors the G12, scoring 20.4 bits, which translates to richer, more nuanced skin tones and color gradients - valuable traits for portrait and product photography. The S200’s color performance benefits from DIGIC 5’s updated algorithms but cannot match the tactile control RAW affords.

Overall, the G12 prioritizes image quality versatility suitable for post-processing, while the S200 pushes compact sensor limits with brighter lenses and faster processing for real-time shooting ease.

Focusing Abilities and Autofocus System

A perennial pain point on compact cameras is the autofocus (AF) system quality, especially for fast-moving or unpredictable subjects. The specifications here illustrate a clear distinction:

• G12: Contrast-detect AF system with 9 focus points, face detection enabled, but no continuous AF or tracking capability. AF performance is adequate for stills and slow subjects but can be sluggish or hunt in low light or moving scenarios.

• S200: Also contrast-detect but enhanced with the DIGIC 5’s processing power allowing continuous AF, AF tracking, and selective focus areas, plus touch AF on the LCD. This represents a significant jump in responsiveness and adaptability, particularly for wildlife, sports, and street photography where speed is key.

While both cameras lack phase-detection AF favored for speed and accuracy, the S200's software refinements deliver a more dynamic focusing experience. The G12’s manual focus ring does provide precise control in challenging focus conditions, a boon for macro and portrait work where focus accuracy trumps speed.

Versatility in Portrait, Landscape, and Macro Shooting

Portrait Photography

Portraits place distinct demands on cameras, including accurate, pleasing skin tones, smooth bokeh for subject separation, and reliable face/eye detection.

The G12’s larger maximum aperture of f/2.8 at wide-angle allows decent background blur, while the 28-140mm equivalent focal range offers versatile portrait framing options. The manual focusing ring is a delight here, enabling more deliberate focusing on eyes or fine details. Its RAW support and superior color depth mean photographers can tailor skin tones in post, or utilize the camera’s custom white balance for studio-like reliability.

The S200 features a slightly faster aperture at f/2.0 at its widest but quickly narrows to f/5.9 telephoto, limiting its long-range bokeh potential. Face detection and AF tracking help to hold focus on subjects reliably, but the absence of a viewfinder or RAW files and less precise manual focus dialing make it somewhat a step down for serious portraiture. Still, for casual to mid-level portraits, it’s a capable performer.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters often prize high dynamic range, resolution, and weather durability.

Both cameras have identical sensor sizes and resolution, but the G12’s overall image quality comes out ahead under varied lighting conditions, thanks to its better dynamic range and RAW flexibility. The articulating screen aids top-down or awkward compositions often encountered outdoors, while the optical viewfinder assists in bright environments where screen glare hampers composition.

Neither model offers substantial weather sealing, a typical limitation in this class. The G12’s built-in image stabilization helps counter hand shake for slower shutter speeds common in landscape shots.

The S200’s smaller form lends itself well to hiking or travel, but the limitation to JPEG and lack of an articulating screen may frustrate landscape artists desiring compositional control and maximum editing headroom.

Macro Photography

Macro-focused photographers need precise focusing at close range and stabilization to maintain sharpness.

The G12 shines with an impressive 1cm macro focusing distance and the advantage of a manual focus ring for exact adjustments. Its optical image stabilization complements handheld close-ups, a distinct benefit for flower, insect, or product photography.

By comparison, the S200’s macro minimum focus distance is about 3cm, a bit farther, and the lack of manual focus rings makes precision trickier, despite continuous autofocus and touch focusing assistance.

While neither camera has focus stacking or bracket features, the G12’s hands-on manual tools make it more accommodating for macro enthusiasts.

Speed, Burst Shooting, and Low-Light Performance

Burst shooting rates and sensor sensitivity critically impact sports and wildlife photography.

The G12 records a quite leisurely 1 frame per second continuous shooting rate - essentially limiting its utility for active subjects. Its maximum shutter speeds top out at 1/4000 sec with an optical shutter, sufficient for bright daylight but constrained for ultra-fast action.

The S200 doubles this to 2 fps, coupled with continuous autofocus and tracking. The DIGIC 5 processor speeds frame-to-frame transitions and extends ISO sensitivity to 6400, promising better low-light capture with less visible noise. While still not rivaling flagship APS-C or mirrorless cameras, this makes the S200 more appealing for casual sports or street shooters.

Both models have a minimum shutter speed of 15 seconds for long-exposure or night photography, but the G12’s optical image stabilization offers modest improvements for handheld slow exposures.

Video Shooting Capabilities

By early 2010s standards, both cameras offer HD video recording at 1280 x 720 pixels but capped at 24fps for the G12 and similar for the S200. Neither supports full HD 1080p or 4K, reflecting their era and compact-class limitations.

Codec and audio options remain basic: H.264 compression, no external mic input, and no headphone output. The G12 edges slightly forward with its articulating screen allowing more versatile angles during video capture.

Neither camera sports in-camera image stabilization optimized for video, but the optical IS offers some handheld smoothness in static or slow pans.

For casual family or travel clips, their video performance is acceptable but unlikely to satisfy videographers or hybrid shooters seeking modern features.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

Both cameras utilize SD card storage, with compatibility for SDHC and SDXC cards, though the G12 also supports MMC variants. Neither support dual card slots or high-speed UHS standards, which limits buffer depth during bursts or video shooting.

Wireless connectivity stands in favor of the S200 with built-in Wi-Fi, allowing effortless image transfer and remote shooting when paired with compatible devices, surpassing the G12’s reliance on Eye-Fi card connectivity - an approach now largely obsolete.

Battery life is a clear disadvantage on the S200, rated at 200 shots, a challenge for long outings without spares. The G12’s NB-7L battery achieves roughly 370 shots, a more comfortable endurance for enthusiastic photography days.

Value and Pricing: What’s the Buy-in?

At launch, the G12 carried a higher price point around $600, reflecting its enthusiast market status and feature-rich design. The S200 traded down towards a more budget-friendly ~$290, making it attractive as a versatile, compact travel camera.

Canon G12 screen back Canon S200 front

Overall performance ratings reflect this hierarchical positioning:

Here we see the G12’s higher DxO overall score of 47 versus the S200’s untested (but lower expected) score, consistent with their photography-type performances:

Recommendations by Photography Type

Travel and Street Photography

The S200's compact form, lighter weight, and touch AF make it better suited for discreet street or travel shooting, where size and swift responsiveness matter most. Its limitations with battery life and controls may necessitate adapting your shooting style but rewards with portability.

Portrait and Macro

For deliberate portrait or macro work, the G12’s manual focusing, articulated screen, RAW support, and superior color depth place it ahead. Its heft is a small price for creative control and image quality.

Landscape and Night/Astro

Landscape photographers demanding dynamic range and post-processing flexibility will find the G12 a better companion, thanks to RAW capability and the articulating screen. Both cameras offer manual exposure and long shutter speeds, but the G12’s stabilization and handling tip the scales.

Wildlife and Sports

Neither camera is ideal for serious wildlife or sports, but the S200’s continuous AF and doubled burst rate offer modest improvements for casual shooting in these fields.

Video

Both cameras are limited video performers by modern standards; casual video capture is possible, with the G12’s articulating screen providing a slight benefit.

In Closing: Choosing Between Two Generations of Compacts

The Canon PowerShot G12 and S200 represent two distinct philosophies of compact shooting within the same brand family. The G12 holds tighter to traditional enthusiast values - manual controls, RAW flexibility, and solid image quality - while the S200 embraces compactness, speed, and convenience at the expense of some creative freedoms.

If you prioritize image quality versatility and manual tactile control, the G12 remains a commendable choice, especially if you can find one at a good price on the used market. For everyday carry, casual street photography, or travel where size and snappy autofocus are paramount, the S200 offers a compelling package, albeit with some concessions.

Both cameras suffer from outdated video specs and limited low-light performance by today’s mirrorless standards. However, their compact sensor pools still produce images with character and sharpness useful for various applications.

Thanks for joining me in this deep dive. Feel free to share your experiences with either camera - in many ways, these two Canon compacts have earned their own loyal followings.

Summary Table for Quick Comparison

If you want to dive into any particular usage scenario or technical specification with more hands-on insights, just let me know!