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Canon G12 vs Canon S90

Portability
83
Imaging
35
Features
50
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot G12 front
 
Canon PowerShot S90 front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
42
Overall
37

Canon G12 vs Canon S90 Key Specs

Canon G12
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-4.5) lens
  • 401g - 112 x 76 x 48mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Replaced the Canon G11
  • Replacement is Canon G15
Canon S90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-105mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 195g - 100 x 58 x 31mm
  • Launched April 2010
  • Later Model is Canon S95
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Canon G12 vs Canon S90 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Canon G12 and Canon S90, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both are created by Canon. The sensor resolution of the G12 (10MP) and the S90 (10MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/1.7").

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The G12 was revealed 10 months after the S90 so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the G12 grades against the S90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon G12 over the Canon S90

 G12 S90 
LaunchedJanuary 2011April 2010More modern by 10 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Canon S90 over the Canon G12

 S90 G12 
Screen size3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon G12 and Canon S90

 G12 S90 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen resolution461k461kEqual screen resolution
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Canon G12 vs Canon S90 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon G12 has got outer dimensions of 112mm x 76mm x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") having a weight of 401 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst the Canon S90 has measurements of 100mm x 58mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") having a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs).

Compare the Canon G12 and Canon S90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the G12 vs the S90.

Canon G12 vs Canon S90 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G12 and S90 is 83 and 92 respectively.

Canon G12 vs Canon S90 top view buttons comparison

Canon G12 vs Canon S90 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes just by going through technical specs. The picture below will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the G12 and S90.

As you have seen, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same MP so you can expect comparable quality of images although you will need to consider the age of the cameras into account. The newer G12 should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Canon G12 vs Canon S90 sensor size comparison

Canon G12 vs Canon S90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G12 vs Canon S90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G12 Portrait photography factors
Canon S90 Portrait photography factors
47
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
40
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/500s)
saves RAW formats
no external flash support
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Canon G12 as a Street photography camera
Canon S90 as a Street photography camera
64
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (401 grams)
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Canon G12 Sports photography highlights
Canon S90 Sports photography highlights
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
great battery pack (370 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect AF
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon G12
Travel photography with Canon S90
60
great battery pack (370 shots)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (401 grams)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
63
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
missing Time Lapse function
low megapixels (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G12 Landscape photography advice
Canon S90 Landscape photography advice
49
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (370 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of Timelapse mode
52
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G12 as a Vlogging camera
Canon S90 as a Vlogging camera
60
pretty wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than competition (401 grams)
31
quite wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Canon G12 vs Canon S90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G12 and Canon S90
 Canon PowerShot G12Canon PowerShot S90
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot G12 Canon PowerShot S90
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-19 2010-04-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Digic 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-105mm (3.8x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.5 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 4.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.8" 3"
Resolution of display 461k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 6.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/2000s 1/500s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format H.264 H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 401 grams (0.88 lbs) 195 grams (0.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 112 x 76 x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") 100 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 47 46
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 11.0
DXO Low light rating 161 185
Other
Battery life 370 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-7L NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $600 $599