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Canon G12 vs Nikon S5100

Portability
83
Imaging
35
Features
50
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot G12 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon G12 vs Nikon S5100 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
  • Launched January 2011
  • Replaced the Canon G11
  • Newer Model is Canon G15
Nikon S5100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released August 2010
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Canon G12 vs Nikon S5100 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Canon G12 versus Nikon S5100, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the G12 (10MP) and the S5100 (12MP) is very similar but the G12 (1/1.7") and S5100 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizes.

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The G12 was manufactured 6 months after the S5100 so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the G12 grades vs the S5100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon G12 over the Nikon S5100

 G12 S5100 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size2.8"2.7"Larger display (+0.1")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Canon G12

 S5100 G12 

Common features in the Canon G12 and Nikon S5100

 G12 S5100 
ReleasedJanuary 2011August 2010Similar generation
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Canon G12 vs Nikon S5100 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon G12 features physical dimensions of 112mm x 76mm x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") and a weight of 401 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst the Nikon S5100 has proportions of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Contrast the Canon G12 versus Nikon S5100 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the G12 against the S5100.

Canon G12 vs Nikon S5100 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the G12 and S5100 is 83 and 95 respectively.

Canon G12 vs Nikon S5100 top view buttons comparison

Canon G12 vs Nikon S5100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specifications. The picture below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the G12 and S5100.

To sum up, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The G12 due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon S5100 will offer you greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos way more aggressively.

Canon G12 vs Nikon S5100 sensor size comparison

Canon G12 vs Nikon S5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G12 vs Nikon S5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G12 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S5100 as a Portrait photography camera
47
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon G12
Street photography with Nikon S5100
64
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
very small sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than others (401g)
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (132 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon G12
Sports photography with Nikon S5100
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good battery power (370 CIPA)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect autofocus
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon G12
Travel photography with Nikon S5100
60
good battery power (370 CIPA)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than others (401g)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
62
lighter than competition in class (132 grams)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon G12
Landscape photography with Nikon S5100
49
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (2.8 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
good battery power (370 shots)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
no Timelapse function
32
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G12 Vlogging highlights
Nikon S5100 Vlogging highlights
60
relatively wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone support
more heavy than others (401 grams)
31
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (132g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
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Canon G12 vs Nikon S5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G12 and Nikon S5100
 Canon PowerShot G12Nikon Coolpix S5100
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot G12 Nikon Coolpix S5100
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-01-19 2010-08-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.5 f/2.7-6.6
Macro focusing range 1cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.8 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/2000 secs -
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 401g (0.88 lb) 132g (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 76 x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-7L EN-EL10
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $600 $200