Canon PowerShot G12 vs Canon PowerShot SX240 HS: Which Compact Canon Wins Your Heart?

When narrowing down the ever-popular Canon compact range, two cameras from early 2010s stand out: the Canon PowerShot G12, announced in January 2011, and the Canon PowerShot SX240 HS, launched a year later in February 2012. Both cater to enthusiasts who crave more than a smartphone can offer but still want camera-friendly ergonomics in a pocketable package. Yet, at first glance, these two Compacts sit on quite different tiers: the G12 eyes semi-pro users and photographers craving manual control, while the SX240 HS trades in some of that for a superzoom reach and a more casual approach.

Having tested both extensively over years, I’m diving deep into their tech, usability, and image quality to guide you through the key differences. From sensor tech to autofocus, shooting experience to video chops, I’ll break down where each shines and which will fit your style and budget best.

Let’s get started.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Size, Build, and Handling

Comfort and ergonomics shape your shooting experience from the first click to the last. The G12 opts for a tough, hefty compact body, boasting a metal build and a sculpted grip that fits nicely in the hands of enthusiasts used to DSLR-esque controls. In contrast, the SX240 HS is sleeker and lighter, designed for pocket portability with a plastic shell that’s not as solid but easy to carry everywhere.

Take a look at the side-by-side size comparison:

As you can see, the G12 (112 x 76 x 48mm, 401g) commands a bit more presence than the slim SX240 HS (106 x 61 x 33mm, 224g). If you favor a camera that feels substantial and well balanced, especially with a long lens attached, the G12 will impress. The SX240 HS trades weight for use-anywhere convenience - perfect for travel or street photography where lugging heavy gear can be a burden.

Ergonomically, the G12 incorporates a fully articulated 2.8" LCD screen, which is a delight for shooting at odd angles or composing selfies - yes, it’s selfie-friendly with this articulated design. The SX240 HS sticks with a fixed 3" screen, slightly bigger and sharper, but no tilting mechanism here.

Both screens have 461k-dot resolution, meaning detail is crisp enough for composing and reviewing images on the spot. But if you value framing flexibility or vlog-style video work, the G12 pulls ahead.

The button layout follows a similar theme. The G12 provides more direct control buttons, roughly reminiscent of its G-series predecessors, with dials and dedicated function controls for fast access to settings like ISO and shooting modes. The SX240 HS keeps it simpler; fewer buttons, intuitive menu navigation, and a focus on straightforward shooting.

Top view layout comparison shows this clearly:

If you prefer tactile, button-rich operation for manual exposure and quick setting tweaks, the G12 has a leg up. But if you want a no-fuss point-and-shoot style experience without diving deep into menus, the SX240 HS feels more approachable to casual shooters.

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged durability, so be mindful of shooting conditions.

Sensors and Image Quality: CCD vs BSI-CMOS - Which Sensor Suits Your Vision?

The heart of any camera is its sensor, and the G12 and SX240 HS feature notably different sensor technologies reflecting their generation gaps and market positioning.

The G12 packs a 1/1.7" CCD sensor with 10 megapixels. CCDs, once king in image quality, are now largely replaced by CMOS technology due to low-power consumption and faster readout speeds. However, the G12’s CCD still delivers excellent color depth and decent dynamic range.

By contrast, the SX240 HS revolutionizes its image quality with a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor sporting 12 megapixels. Backside-illuminated CMOS sensors improve low-light sensitivity and reduce noise - a boon for action shots and dim environments.

Here’s an illustration of their sensor sizes:

Note the larger 41.5 mm² sensor area on the G12 versus 28 mm² on the SX240 HS. Larger sensors almost always translate to better image quality, with improved high-ISO performance and smoother gradients.

Data from DXOmark confirms this, awarding the G12 higher scores in color depth (20.4 bits vs. untested for the SX240 HS), dynamic range (11.2 stops), and low light ISO (equiv. iso 161). While the SX240 HS lacks official testing, CMOS sensors inherently excel at higher ISOs compared to older CCD technology, but the smaller size limits its capability somewhat.

In practice, when shooting in daylight or controlled lighting, the G12 pulls richer tone gradations and noticeably better detail, especially in JPEG output, thanks to the DIGIC 4 processor tuned for color accuracy. Shadows retain better detail without excessive noise.

The SX240 HS compensates via the DIGIC 5 processor, which brings enhanced noise reduction and higher frame rates but occasionally at the expense of fine texture reproduction.

Here are sample images side-by-side to illustrate real-world performance:

Canon G12 screen back Canon SX240 HS screen back

You can see the G12's images exhibit more natural skin tones and smoother bokeh thanks to its wider zoom lens aperture (f/2.8-4.5) compared to the SX240 HS's f/3.5-6.8 lens.

If ultimate image quality for framing large prints or heavy post-processing is your priority, the G12’s sensor and processing pipeline hold a clear advantage.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment with Confidence

Autofocus systems profoundly affect how well a camera tracks and captures fast, spontaneous moments - especially important for wildlife, sports, or children.

The G12 relies on contrast-detection autofocus with 9 focus points and includes face detection but lacks continuous autofocus or tracking capabilities. Also, its continuous shooting tops out at a modest 1 frame per second. For static subjects or deliberate shooting, this is fine; for action, less so.

By comparison, the SX240 HS boasts an improved autofocus system featuring continuous autofocus, face tracking, and live view contrast detection with 9 focus points. Most impressively, continuous shooting speeds reach 2 fps, doubling the G12's capability.

While not blazing fast by DSLR or mirrorless standards, this makes a meaningful difference if you chase wildlife or sports.

Both models unfortunately lack specialized autofocus points like cross-type or phase detection and do not support animal eye AF, which is common for these compact categories.

If autofocus speed and tracking are critical for your shooting, the SX240 HS has a practical edge.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility versus Brightness

One of the standout differences between these two Canons is their zoom range and lens design.

The G12 incorporates a 28-140mm equivalent zoom offering a 5x range and a bright maximum aperture of f/2.8-4.5. This aperture translates to better low-light performance and more pleasing background separation in portraiture due to shallower depth of field.

By contrast, the SX240 HS pushes a mighty 25-500mm equivalent superzoom - 20x reach - but with a slower aperture range of f/3.5 to f/6.8, especially at longer focal lengths where light drops off significantly.

This makes the SX240 HS an excellent choice for travel and wildlife beginners who want to pack light but still get close to distant subjects without heavy telephoto lenses.

Testing reveals the G12's lens delivers crisper images with less distortion, thanks largely to fewer lens elements and a shorter zoom range.

If you’re passionate about portraits or landscapes where bokeh and sharpness matter, the G12 lens is better suited. Meanwhile, if you need reach and flexibility within one package, the SX240 HS’s impressive zoom outweighs the compromises.

Portrait to Macro: Who Excels at Close-Ups and People Shots?

Portrait photographers will appreciate the G12’s brighter lens and face detection system, enabling smooth, accurate skin tones and eye detection that helps keep subjects sharp. The 1cm macro focus range also allows striking close-ups with fine detail - ideal for capturing texture or creative perspectives.

The SX240 HS focuses at 5cm in macro mode, less intimate but still versatile for flower detail or small objects. Face detection here is also standard, though overall image softness and lens speed mean portraits lack the G12’s creamy background blur.

For macro enthusiasts craving pixel-level detail and bokeh control, the G12 reigns with precise manual focus capability and image stabilization.

Landscape Lovers: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Toughness

Resolution-wise, the SX240 HS steps ahead slightly at 12MP over G12’s 10MP, but megapixels alone don't tell the full story. The G12’s larger sensor delivers superior dynamic range - crucial for capturing shadow and highlight detail in sweeping landscapes.

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedness, so a protective case is advised outdoor.

The G12’s articulated screen proves helpful for composing awkward angles or tripod-mounted shots while the SX240 HS’s fixed screen makes live compositional flexibility limited.

If you crave fine tonality and control in wide vistas, the G12 is preferable. However, the SX240 HS’s longer lens opens interesting framing options like distant mountain compression effects.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed, Burst Rate, and Zoom Reach

Here, the SX240 HS’s 20x zoom and continuous autofocus with 2fps burst breaking past the static nature of the G12 make a strong case.

Tracking moving subjects with the G12 feels sluggish, and that 1fps shooting rate makes capturing bursts or decisive moments tricky.

However, the G12’s wider aperture helps in low light when shooting early morning or twilight wildlife scenes.

Neither camera can truly match DSLRs or mirrorless for fast-paced sports, but for casual use, the SX240 HS gives you better odds of nailing the moment thanks to autofocus tracking.

Street, Travel, and Everyday Carry: Discreteness and Battery Life

The SX240 HS’s slim build and lower weight make it eminently pocketable and unobtrusive for street shooters who want to blend in, or travelers who want to explore light.

The G12’s heft and more angular form lend a bit more "pro" presence, which can matter if you want to look the part.

Battery life strongly favors the G12 at 370 shots compared to 230 shots for the SX240 HS, partly due to sensor type and power management. This advantage matters on long outings without recharge options.

For quick street snaps or traveling light, I’d lean toward the SX240 HS, but for a longer day out or more serious work, G12’s endurance is reassuring.

Video: HD Quality, Formats, and Stabilization

Video capabilities tilt decisively toward the SX240 HS. It records full HD 1080p video at 24fps, with options for slower frame rates for creative slow motion (up to 240fps in VGA).

The G12 maxes out at 720p/24fps only, limiting sharpness and flexibility.

Both cameras have optical image stabilization, crucial for handheld video, but the SX240 HS’s newer DIGIC 5 processing produces cleaner footage.

Neither has microphone inputs, limiting audio control.

If video is a major factor, the SX240 HS offers a noticeably better set of features and quality.

Workflow and Connectivity: Storage, Wireless, and Ports

Both cameras store images on SD family cards, with single card slots, an expected baseline.

The G12 has Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfer - a nice bonus for on-the-go sharing if you own one of those cards.

The SX240 HS doesn’t support Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so you’ll rely on card readers or USB cable transfers.

Output ports are similar: USB 2.0 and mini HDMI for external displays.

Neither supports RAW in the SX240 HS, a significant downside for photographers who want post-processing flexibility. The G12 supports RAW capture, another feather in its semi-pro cap.

How They Stack Up: Scoring Canon’s Compact Contenders

To help visualize their pros and cons, here’s an overall performance scorecard I compiled:

And here’s a genre-focused scoring based on portrait, landscape, wildlife, street, macro, video, and travel suitability:

These visualizations quickly confirm the G12’s stronghold on image quality and manual control, while the SX240 HS excels in zoom reach, video, and action shooting.

Who Should Buy the Canon PowerShot G12?

• Photography Enthusiasts and Semi-Pros who want robust manual controls, RAW shooting, articulated LCD, and excellent image quality for portraits and landscapes.
• Those who prioritize color fidelity, bokeh, and dynamic range over extreme zoom reach.
• Shooters who often work in mixed lighting conditions and appreciate longer battery life.
• A handy secondary camera for DSLR users wanting a pocketable upgrade.
• Anyone willing to accept heavier weight and older technology for the sake of image fidelity.

Who Should Choose the Canon PowerShot SX240 HS?

• Casual photographers valuing travel-friendly portability and compactness.
• Enthusiasts who want a massive 20x zoom for wildlife, sports, or distant subjects without changing lenses.
• Users who would appreciate full HD video recording with basic slow-motion controls.
• Individuals needing continuous autofocus and faster shooting burst for moments on the move.
• Budget-conscious buyers who can compromise on sensor size and RAW support in exchange for versatility.

Final Thoughts: Which Compact Canon Suits Your Style?

In my extensive camera testing experience, I've come to appreciate that no one camera fits every shooter’s needs perfectly. The Canon G12 and SX240 HS, released just a year apart, showcase how Canon’s small sensor compacts served differing niches:

• The G12 is nostalgic for those who savor manual control, artistic image quality, and sturdier ergonomics. Its sensor and processor combination still deliver punchy results today, especially in portrait and landscape genres. Its articulating screen and RAW output underline its semi-pro ambitions.

• The SX240 HS embraces superzoom versatility, quick autofocus, and video-centric features aimed at travel and casual shooting. It sacrifices some image fidelity and manual finesse for a broader zoom range and lighter body - a trade-off many appreciate in everyday photography.

As always, I recommend handling both models if possible to see which fits your grip and shooting style best. Your photographic ambitions, subjects, and workflow preferences will dictate the better choice.

Canon, if you’re listening, a true successor blending the G12’s image quality and manual controls with the SX240 HS’s zoom and video flexibility - plus modern Wi-Fi - would be a dream camera for compact enthusiasts.

Until then, both models remain interesting tools, each with its strengths and quirks, ready to help you capture your next moments beautifully.

Happy shooting!