Canon PowerShot G12 vs. Nikon Coolpix P7000: A Hands-On Comparative Review for the Discerning Photographer

When enthusiasts set out to find a capable small-sensor compact camera from the early 2010s era, two models frequently rise to the top: the Canon PowerShot G12 and the Nikon Coolpix P7000. Both cameras aim to deliver an elevated experience beyond point-and-shoot limitations - offering manual controls, RAW capture, and versatile zoom ranges in compact bodies.

Having tested both extensively in diverse shooting scenarios ranging from portraits to night landscapes, I’m excited to share a thorough, hands-on comparison. This is a no-nonsense, expertly informed deep dive that breaks down their real-world strengths and compromises so you can choose the best fit for your photographic ambitions and budget.

Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Picking up both cameras immediately reveals subtle yet impactful design philosophies. The Canon G12 emphasizes a robust grip and articulating screen, while the Nikon P7000 opts for a sleeker profile with a larger fixed display.

Canon G12:

• Dimensions: 112 x 76 x 48 mm
• Weight: 401 g (with battery)
• Fully articulating 2.8” screen with modest 461k dots resolution
• Deep front grip with textured rubber for confident handling
• Optical tunnel viewfinder (no EVF), but sufficient for bright conditions
• Body feels dense and reassuringly solid, asserting its enthusiast intent

Nikon P7000:

• Dimensions: 114 x 77 x 45 mm
• Weight: 310 g (with battery)
• Larger, fixed 3” screen boasting 921k dots, detailed and bright
• More compact, lightweight, flatter grip - pleasing for street and travel
• Also an optical tunnel viewfinder but offers roughly 80% coverage, less reliable for critical framing

The G12’s articulating screen provides compositional freedom in unusual angles - a boon for macro or street shooting from the hip. However, the P7000’s screen is sharper and easier to see under sunshine due to its anti-reflective coating and brightness controls.

In terms of control layout, the Canon puts manual dials front and center with a pronounced mode dial and customizable buttons centered around the thumb, which I found more ergonomic during fast-paced shooting.

Nikon’s approach employs a more conventional dial and button arrangement, less tactile but well suited to photographers transitioning from DSLRs.

Bottom line: The Canon G12 offers more substantial handling with the articulating screen and refined control ergonomics, while the Nikon P7000 keeps things compact and straightforward, better suited for photographers prioritizing portability.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras share a 1/1.7” CCD sensor measuring approximately 7.44 x 5.58 mm, delivering 10 megapixels with an anti-alias filter.

Despite the similar sensor specs, subtle differences in image processing engines affect raw and JPEG quality:

• Canon G12: DIGIC 4 processor, native ISO 80-3200, raw support, max aperture f/2.8-f/4.5
• Nikon P7000: Expeed C2 processor, native ISO 100-3200 (boost up to 6400), raw support, max aperture f/2.8-f/5.6

Laboratory test results and DxOmark scores reveal that the G12 achieves a slight edge in overall color depth (20.4 bits vs 19.1) and dynamic range (11.2 EV vs 10.8 EV). The G12’s noise handling at base ISOs is cleaner, particularly in shadow regions, while the Nikon extends its reach with ISO boost, albeit with significant noise trade-offs.

In my controlled shooting sessions, the G12 exhibited richer skin tones with more accurate color rendition and organic gradation - critical for portrait work - whereas the P7000 occasionally rendered skin a bit flatter.

However, Nikon’s extended zoom range (28-200 mm equivalent) gives it an advantage in composition flexibility, especially for landscape and wildlife, despite a narrower aperture at telephoto.

Viewing and Interface: Where Experience Meets Intuition

The difference in rear LCDs is immediately noticeable during live view and image playback.

• Canon G12: Smaller, articulated 2.8” LCD, 461k resolution but flexible articulating hinge enables diverse shooting angles
• Nikon P7000: Larger, fixed 3” LCD with nearly double the pixel count and anti-reflective coating for better outdoor viewing

From a usability standpoint, the G12’s articulation expands creative possibilities for low or high angle shots and self-portraits, while the Nikon’s screen clarity aids critical focus checking and image review in bright conditions.

Both cameras feature optical tunnel viewfinders without electronic overlays. These are serviceable in bright environments but inadequate for framing precision in complex lighting or low light. Neither offers EVFs, a notable omission by current standards but common for this generation.

On the interface, the Nikon provides faster menu navigation and slightly more extensive exposure bracketing options (AE & WB bracketing vs Canon’s none), supporting workflows that involve HDR or controlled exposure blending.

Autofocus and Speed: Catching the Moment

AF performance is a vital marker of a camera’s practical usability. In this case, the Nikon P7000’s more advanced 99-point contrast-detection system (with center-weighted and selective AF modes) clearly outpaces the Canon G12’s more basic 9-point multi-area AF.

• Canon G12: single AF mode, face detection, no continuous AF or tracking
• Nikon P7000: single, continuous, tracking, selective AF, face detection

This translates directly into real-world differences in fast-moving or unpredictable subjects such as in wildlife or sports. The P7000 handled autofocus tracking more reliably during bursts, which are both limited to about 1 fps but optimized differently.

Shutter speeds are comparable, ranging from 15 sec to 1/4000 sec on both, giving ample creative flexibility.

The slower burst rates are a limitation for action photography on both, but Nikon's more sophisticated AF does help lock focus quicker and more accurately under low light and subject motion.

Photography Genre Breakdown: Strengths and Weaknesses Explored

Let’s dissect both cameras’ performance across common photographic disciplines.

Portraits and Bokeh

Portrait work demands flattering skin tones, precise eye detection, and pleasing background separation.

• The G12’s brighter aperture at wide-angle (f/2.8 vs f/2.8 on Nikon but narrower tele due to slower aperture) creates subtly smoother bokeh.
• Canon’s color science excels for natural skin rendition, mitigating the sometimes-synthetic feel of CCD jerseys.
• Face detection on both works well, though neither offers eye AF as modern systems do.

Verdict: The G12 edges ahead for portrait photographers valuing skin tone fidelity and creative framing flexibility via the articulating screen.

Landscape Photography

Resolution-wise, both offer 10 MP, but sensor noise and dynamic range can make or break a landscape image.

• G12’s marginally higher dynamic range (11.2 EV) makes preserving detail in highlight and shadow areas more manageable.
• Nikon’s longer zoom can capture distant landscape elements better, though lens sharpness beyond 100mm requires careful consideration.
• Neither camera is weather sealed, so outdoor landscape photographers must be cautious in harsh conditions.

Verdict: The Canon G12’s stronger dynamic range and articulating screen make it a more engrossing landscape companion, though the Nikon’s zoom reach offers versatility.

Wildlife and Sports

These genres demand rapid and accurate AF, burst shooting, and high ISO performance.

• The Nikon P7000’s 99-point AF system with tracking clearly outperforms the Canon’s 9-point contrast detection.
• Both cameras offer similar 1 fps burst rates - limited but manageable for casual enthusiasts.
• P7000’s expanded zoom reaches 200mm equivalent, better for distant subjects.
• Higher maximum ISO and Raw support for more aggressive noise reduction workflow.

Verdict: Nikon P7000 stands out as a better choice for wildlife and sports, thanks to stronger AF capabilities and lens reach, despite burst speed limitations.

Street Photography

Compactness, quick responsiveness, discretion, and low-light usability dictate success here.

• The Nikon P7000’s lighter body and larger, easy-to-navigate LCD are a plus for street shooters.
• However, Canon’s articulating screen allows creative low or high shooting angles to avoid invasive shooting.
• Both cameras are reasonably quiet, but their flash setups may be intrusive if used.
• The G12’s higher DxOmark low-light score translates to cleaner images at modest ISO settings in dim conditions.

Verdict: If creative framing is paramount, the G12’s articulating screen wins, but the Nikon’s discreet footprint and clear LCD favor street shooters focused on ease and speed.

Macro Photography

Close focusing and stabilization are key.

• Canon G12 offers a dramatic 1 cm macro minimum focus distance, better than Nikon’s 2 cm.
• Both models feature optical image stabilization that helps reduce shake during handheld macro.
• G12’s articulating screen is an asset when shooting tiny subjects at awkward angles.

Verdict: Canon G12 delivers a slight edge for macro photographers seeking tight focus distances and compositional flexibility.

Night and Astrophotography

Noise performance, long exposure capability, and raw workflow support matter here.

• Both cameras offer shutter speeds down to 15 sec (G12) and 60 sec (P7000), limited yet sufficient for basic night photography.
• Canon’s slightly higher dynamic range helps retain starry skies with less banding.
• Nikon’s higher max boosted ISO is theoretically beneficial but often compromised by noise.

Verdict: Canon G12 has the upper hand for astrophotography enthusiasts willing to work within ISO confines.

Video Capabilities

Neither camera prioritizes video, but their features merit review.

• Both offer 720p HD recording at 24 fps, standard definition at higher frame rates.
• Nikon supports MPEG-4, AVCHD Lite, and H.264, while Canon sticks to H.264 alone.
• Nikon includes a microphone port for improved audio capture, a rarity in compacts of this age.
• Neither has headphone output or advanced video stabilization.

Verdict: Nikon P7000’s microphone input is a useful addition for casual videographers aiming for better sound.

Travel Photography

A jack-of-all-trades scenario, evaluating size, battery life, versatility.

• Nikon is lighter (310 g vs 401 g) and boasts a broader zoom range (28-200 mm), excellent for various subjects without lens changes.
• Both have single SD card slots and similar battery lives (350-370 shots), typical for compacts.
• Canon offers the articulating screen and modestly better low-light performance.
• Nikon lacks wireless connectivity; Canon supports Eye-Fi cards, facilitating quick image transfer - a convenience when on the move.

Verdict: Nikon P7000’s lighter weight and longer zoom make it more versatile travel gear, though Canon’s articulation and connectivity are pluses depending upon travel style.

Professional and Workflow Considerations

Neither camera is a professional workhorse but might serve as a secondary or backup tool.

• Canon supports raw shooting and outputs larger 14-bit files, suiting pro-level editing.
• Nikon’s higher AF points and facial tracking improve capture reliability.
• Both lack environmental sealing and advanced connectivity seen in DSLRs or mirrorless professional models.
• USB 2.0, HDMI ports standard; Nikon’s microphone input adds workflow flexibility for multimedia creators.

Technical Synthesis: Specs and Real-World Performance

Let’s consolidate quantitative scores with observed field use:

• Canon G12 leads in color depth, dynamic range, and low light ISO effectiveness.
• Nikon P7000 excels in autofocus sophistication, zoom range, and video versatility.

Samples Speak Volumes

Comparing image samples side-by-side reveals:

Canon G12 screen back Nikon P7000 front Nikon P7000 screen back

• G12’s images generally show better color reproduction, smoother tonal transitions, and less noise at base ISO.
• P7000’s zoom flexibility captures distant detail better but sometimes at the expense of sharpness and chromatic aberration at telephoto extremes.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

While both cameras use standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, the Canon’s Eye-Fi wireless compatibility gives it an edge for photographers who want effortless wireless workflow - an innovative feature for its time.

Battery life is roughly comparable, with Canon’s NB-7L rated at about 370 shots per charge and Nikon’s battery slightly less at 350. Neither supports USB charging, so carrying spare batteries is recommended for long sessions.

Pricing and Value: Then and Now

At launch, the Canon G12 carried a premium price (~$600), reflecting its enthusiast feature set, while the Nikon P7000 was more affordable (~$350), appealing to photographers seeking balanced features at a moderate cost.

Today, used prices reflect similar trends - G12 models hold slightly higher resale value, justified by their unique articulation and image quality strengths.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Canon PowerShot G12 if:

• You prioritize superb image quality, color fidelity, and creative articulation in a compact.
• Portraits, macro, and landscape photography are your main interests.
• You want a camera that integrates with wireless card technology for streamlined workflows.
• You don’t mind a slightly heavier, thicker body for enhanced grip and handling.

Choose the Nikon Coolpix P7000 if:

• You need extended zoom reach (28-200mm equivalent) for wildlife or versatile travel shooting.
• Fast, accurate autofocus with tracking is important, especially for moving subjects or sports.
• You desire sharper, larger rear LCD and microphone input for hybrid still/video use.
• You want a lighter, more compact camera with solid build, at a more accessible price point.

Final Reflections

The Canon PowerShot G12 and Nikon Coolpix P7000 represent pinnacle offerings in the small sensor compact category circa 2010-2011, each with strengths tailored to different photographic philosophies. The G12 is a tactile, image-quality-driven device suited for photographers who like to control every aspect and value compositional creativity. Nikon’s P7000 leans more toward speed, zoom versatility, and multimedia capabilities in a lighter package.

Both cameras ask a buyer to accept the technological limitations of their time - slow continuous shooting, modest sensor size, and aging CCD technology - but reward with thoughtful designs that remain inspiring for learning and modest professional work.

Your final choice ultimately hinges on what photographic experience you aspire to achieve and the specific demands of your shooting environments. Either way, these cameras offer a level of quality and control in a compact that remains relevant for photographers exploring manual photography within a constrained budget or second-body scenario.

Thank you for joining me on this detailed exploration - I hope these insights empower your next camera decision with clarity, confidence, and passion for the craft. Happy shooting!