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Canon G12 vs Canon SX120 IS

Portability
83
Imaging
35
Features
50
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot G12 front
 
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon G12 vs Canon SX120 IS Key Specs

Canon G12
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-4.5) lens
  • 401g - 112 x 76 x 48mm
  • Introduced January 2011
  • Superseded the Canon G11
  • Successor is Canon G15
Canon SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Introduced August 2009
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Canon G12 vs Canon SX120 IS Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Canon G12 and Canon SX120 IS, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are manufactured by Canon. The image resolution of the G12 (10MP) and the SX120 IS (10MP) is pretty similar but the G12 (1/1.7") and SX120 IS (1/2.5") enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The G12 was released 18 months later than the SX120 IS which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the G12 scores versus the SX120 IS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon G12 over the Canon SX120 IS

 G12 SX120 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2011August 2009Fresher by 18 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Canon G12

 SX120 IS G12 
Screen dimension3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon G12 and Canon SX120 IS

 G12 SX120 IS 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon G12 vs Canon SX120 IS Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon G12 has physical dimensions of 112mm x 76mm x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") having a weight of 401 grams (0.88 lbs) while the Canon SX120 IS has dimensions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") and a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs).

Check the Canon G12 and Canon SX120 IS in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is the front view size comparison of the G12 against the SX120 IS.

Canon G12 vs Canon SX120 IS size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the G12 and SX120 IS is 83 and 87 respectively.

Canon G12 vs Canon SX120 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon G12 vs Canon SX120 IS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing only by going over specs. The visual here will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the G12 and SX120 IS.

All in all, both of the cameras have got the exact same megapixel count albeit different sensor sizing. The G12 provides the bigger sensor which is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler. The fresher G12 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon G12 vs Canon SX120 IS sensor size comparison

Canon G12 vs Canon SX120 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G12 vs Canon SX120 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G12 Portrait photography information
Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography information
47
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
33
manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/500s)
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon G12 Street photography factors
Canon SX120 IS Street photography factors
64
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
sensor is small (1/1.7")
heavier than competition in class (401g)
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than others in class (285g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon G12 Sports photography info
Canon SX120 IS Sports photography info
34
image stabilization (Optical)
good battery (370 shots)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect autofocus
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon G12 Travel photography advice
Canon SX120 IS Travel photography advice
60
good battery (370 shots)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
really wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (401g)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
long reach (360mm)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (285g)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G12 Landscape photography advice
Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography advice
49
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
screen size is good (2.8")
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
good battery (370 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
lack of Time Lapse mode
36
manual focus
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G12 Vlogging information
Canon SX120 IS Vlogging information
60
really wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
heavier than competition in class (401 grams)
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (285 grams)
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Canon G12 vs Canon SX120 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G12 and Canon SX120 IS
 Canon PowerShot G12Canon PowerShot SX120 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot G12 Canon PowerShot SX120 IS
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-01-19 2009-08-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Digic 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 36-360mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-4.5 f/2.8-4.3
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 4.8 6.3
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2500s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/2000s 1/500s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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), 160 x 120 (15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 401 grams (0.88 pounds) 285 grams (0.63 pounds)
Dimensions 112 x 76 x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 47 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 161 not tested
Other
Battery life 370 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-7L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $600 $249