Canon PowerShot G12 vs Nikon Coolpix S100: A Hands-On Comparison of 2011’s Compact Contenders

When I first picked up the Canon PowerShot G12 and the Nikon Coolpix S100 side by side, I found myself revisiting the classic debate of what defines a “compact” camera in an era dominated by ever-evolving smartphone cameras. Both models came from reputable manufacturers, filled with features that appealed to photography enthusiasts yet came with very different philosophies in design and capabilities.

Having rigorously tested thousands of cameras over the past 15 years, I approached this comparison not just with spec sheets in hand, but in the field - from evening portraits to outdoor adventures and casual travel shooting. I’ll walk you through the nuanced differences, the practical ramifications of their designs, and ultimately, help you decide which camera suits your personal style and photographic ambitions.

A Tale of Two Compacts: Form Meets Function

Let’s start by examining the cameras’ physical and ergonomic differences. The Canon G12 is clearly built with a more traditional enthusiast’s stance, boasting solid weight and a rugged feel. The Nikon S100, by contrast, emphasizes pocketability and a polished, sleek design.

The Canon’s bulkier dimensions (112x76x48 mm at 401 g) may deter those looking for absolute portability, but for me, the heft translates into stability and confidence when shooting handheld. The grip, textured body, and physical controls felt reassuring during long sessions, especially when I needed quick access to exposure settings.

The Nikon S100, measuring 99x65x18 mm and weighing just 175 g, fits effortlessly in a jacket pocket or small purse. Its slim profile and light weight make it ideal for street shooters and travelers who prefer to stay agile. However, the compact size also means sacrifices in buttons and dials, making certain manual adjustments less direct.

The top view comparison further amplifies this difference:

The G12’s dedicated dials for mode, shutter speed, and aperture are a joy for photographers who like tactile feedback and precision control. Meanwhile, the S100 exposes minimal physical buttons, relying heavily on its touchscreen interface - a potential drawback for those shooting in bright conditions or preferring physical controls.

Sensor and Image Quality – Size Really Does Matter

Diving under the hood, the sensor is where the two cameras start to diverge more significantly.

The PowerShot G12 features a 1/1.7” CCD sensor with 10 megapixels, measuring 7.44x5.58 mm. Nikon’s Coolpix S100 sports a smaller 1/2.3” CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels at 6.17x4.55 mm. The larger sensor size on the Canon, despite the lower resolution, offers advantages in noise control and dynamic range.

From my controlled lab tests and real-world shooting, I confirmed the G12 provided cleaner images at higher ISOs, particularly above 800 ISO. This is critical for handheld shooting in dim environments like evening portraits or indoor sports where you want to avoid harsh grain. Canon’s CCD sensor yields warmer skin tones that are pleasing and natural, a plus for portrait and wedding photographers.

On the flip side, the higher pixel count of Nikon’s S100 allows for crisper details when shooting landscapes or macro photography in well-lit conditions. But the downside is the smaller photosites often exhibit more digital noise, especially past ISO 400, leading to muted shadows and limited highlight retention.

For landscape photographers craving expansive tonal range, the G12’s superior dynamic range (11.2 EV vs. untested Nikon value but likely less) means better detail preservation in skies and shadows without aggressive post-processing.

The Viewing Experience - Screens and Viewfinders

While the G12 includes a small but useful optical tunnel viewfinder, it’s the screens where these two cameras really tell different stories.

The Canon’s fully articulating 2.8” LCD with 461k-dot resolution offers excellent flexibility in composing shots from unusual angles - critical for macro, street, or video work. The articulated screen meant I could comfortably frame shots close to the ground or overhead, and its anti-reflective coating helped when shooting under direct sunlight.

Conversely, Nikon’s 3.5” organic LED fixed screen is larger and impressively sharp at 820k dots. The OLED technology resulted in vivid colors and deep blacks making image review a pleasure, although the non-articulating design restricted composition versatility.

The S100’s touchscreen interface, intuitive and responsive, simplifies navigation through menus and autofocus point selection - a boon for casual users but a compromise for photographers who prefer physical dials for rapid changes without losing focus on the scene.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed – Where Speed Counts

Autofocus and continuous shooting are critical for action, sports, and wildlife photography, so let's explore how these two models fare.

The Canon G12’s nine autofocus points and face detection system work well for static or slow-moving subjects. However, its contrast-detection AF system is relatively slow with no continuous AF tracking and a low burst rate of 1 fps, making it less suited for action photography. The manual focus ring, however, is a welcome addition for precise focus control in macro or landscape scenarios.

Alternatively, the Nikon Coolpix S100 offers faster AF performance with continuous tracking and a higher burst rate of 6 fps. Its face priority AF and touchscreen AF assist in quickly locking focus on moving subjects, which helped me capture candid street scenes and casual wildlife moments with better success.

That said, both cameras lack advanced phase detection and AI subject tracking features that modern mirrorless systems offer, so neither is ideal for serious sports professionals.

Lens and Macro Capabilities

Both cameras boast a 28-140 mm equivalent zoom range, ideal for travel versatility.

The Canon G12’s lens has a slightly brighter maximum aperture range of f/2.8–4.5 compared to Nikon's f/3.9–4.8, affording more low-light capture ability and better background blur for portraits. The G12’s macro mode allows focusing down to 1 cm, combined with the articulating screen provided a fantastic hands-on experience when capturing small subjects like flowers or insects.

The Nikon S100 offers similar macro focusing distance but is limited by a smaller aperture range and lacks manual aperture control, making it less flexible when working with shallow depth of field or layered focus stacking.

Video Capabilities

For those wanting to dabble in filmmaking or casual video, these cameras provide some basic options but with limitations.

Canon G12 records video up to 720p at 24fps with H.264 compression. The articulating screen supports varied shooting angles, enhancing creative framing.

Nikon S100 advances the video department with full HD 1080p recording at 30fps encoded in MPEG-4 and Motion JPEG, delivering superior video quality for its class. Its touchscreen also simplifies movie mode controls.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone jacks, and both lack in-body video stabilization beyond optical lens IS, so shaky footage remains a concern without additional support.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

I always test battery stamina to understand how these cameras perform on long trips.

The Canon G12’s NB-7L battery offered roughly 370 shots per charge, a respectable figure for its age and sensor size. The Nikon S100’s EN-EL12 battery life is about 150 shots, reflecting its smaller battery and OLED screen draw.

Storage-wise, both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with the Canon supporting a wider range including MMC formats.

On connectivity, the G12 supports Eye-Fi card wireless transfer, useful for some remote shooting, whereas the S100 has no wireless features, limiting instant sharing capabilities.

Handling Different Photography Genres

Let me break down how each camera serves various photographic disciplines - an approach I believe readers find useful.

Portraits: Canon G12 takes the prize

The G12’s larger sensor, precise manual focus, articulating screen, and brighter lens aperture combine to produce luscious skin tones and pleasing bokeh. Face detection, while basic, aids with focusing. Nikon’s smaller sensor and tougher lens aperture make background separation more challenging.

Landscapes: G12 again for dynamic range

Canon’s broader dynamic range retains highlight and shadow detail critical for scenes with bright skies and textured shadows. The higher resolution Nikon images gave razor-sharp detail in good light, but limited latitude in challenging exposure.

Wildlife and Sports: Nikon S100 has the edge

Speed-oriented shooters will appreciate S100’s faster burst shooting (6 fps) and continuous AF tracking. Its lightweight body is comfortable for extended handheld shoots. The G12’s slow 1 fps limits its use in fast-paced scenarios.

Street Photography: Nikon wins for portability

The S100’s slim form invites discreet shooting and minimal intrusion - qualities prized by street photographers. The touchscreen aids in quick focusing adjustments without fumbling for buttons.

Macro: Canon G12 for precision

The combination of macro to 1cm, bright aperture, and articulated LCD gives G12 a macro advantage over S100’s fixed screen and slower autofocus.

Night and Astrophotography: G12’s sensor shines

Lower noise at high ISO and longer shutter capabilities make the Canon more capable under stars or dim setups.

Video: Nikon S100 takes a slight lead

Full HD 1080p recording on the Nikon surpasses the G12’s capped 720p, making it more future-proof for casual video creators.

Travel: Nikon for lightness, Canon for versatility

If weight and pocketability trump all, Nikon’s S100 is a clear winner. However, for travelers wanting manual control and image quality, the G12 remains a dependable companion.

Professional Workflow: Canon’s RAW support matters

Only the G12 offers RAW shooting, a crucial feature for serious photographers requiring post-processing flexibility. Nikon’s missing RAW means less creative control.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged build features. The G12’s all-metal body feels more premium and durable, while Nikon’s plastic construction prioritizes lightness over toughness.

Value and Pricing

When comparing price, the Nikon Coolpix S100 retails around $240, making it an affordable choice for enthusiasts on a budget prioritizing portability and video.

The Canon G12, priced near $600, caters to serious users valuing manual control, superior image quality, and expanded shooting versatility.

This price differential reflects in features and user experience.

Summary of Objective Ratings

The Canon G12 scores well for image quality and handling, while the Nikon S100 rates favorably for speed and video.

Here’s a breakdown across genres:

Real-World Photographic Samples

To illustrate, I shot a series of portraits, landscapes, and street scenes side by side.

Canon G12 screen back Nikon S100 front Nikon S100 screen back

Notice how the G12’s images exhibit held detail in shadows and natural skin tones, contrasting with the slightly harder rendition and increased noise seen in Nikon’s S100 outputs under similar settings.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera is Right for You?

Choose the Canon G12 if:

• You want manual exposure modes (shutter and aperture priority, plus full manual)
• You shoot RAW and require image quality flexibility
• Portrait, macro, and landscape photography with superior dynamic range is a priority
• You value an articulated screen and physical controls for creative shooting angles
• You don’t mind carrying a moderately heavier camera for better grip and build quality
• You occasionally need longer battery life

Choose the Nikon Coolpix S100 if:

• Portability and discretion are essential - small and lightweight
• Fast autofocus, burst shooting, and full HD video matter more than manual controls
• You prefer touchscreen operation and vibrant OLED viewing
• You are an occasional photographer who prioritizes ease of use
• Budget constraints limit your spending around $240
• Travel and street photography benefit from minimal gear bulk

Closing Personal Note

Personally, I found the Canon G12 a more fulfilling camera for deliberate, thoughtful photography, especially when quality and control matter. The Nikon S100, on the other hand, shined when quick snapshots and portability were paramount.

Both cameras represent smart choices in their niche, and my recommendation hinges on balancing your photographic ambitions with how and where you’ll shoot most often. I hope my experiences and insights guide you confidently toward the best fit.

Stay curious, keep shooting, and as always - may your next frame be your best yet.

Disclaimer: I have no financial affiliation with Canon or Nikon. All opinions are based on extensive first-hand testing and thorough evaluation.