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Canon G12 vs Nikon S630

Portability
83
Imaging
35
Features
50
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot G12 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S630 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon G12 vs Nikon S630 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
  • Superseded the Canon G11
  • Successor is Canon G15
Nikon S630
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 37-260mm (F3.5-5.3) lens
  • 140g - 97 x 58 x 26mm
  • Released February 2009
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Canon G12 vs Nikon S630 Overview

Following is a in-depth overview of the Canon G12 and Nikon S630, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the G12 (10MP) and the S630 (12MP) is very well matched but the G12 (1/1.7") and S630 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The G12 was unveiled 24 months after the S630 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the G12 matches up versus the S630 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon G12 over the Nikon S630

 G12 S630 
ReleasedJanuary 2011February 2009More modern by 24 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions2.8"2.7"Larger display (+0.1")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon S630 over the Canon G12

 S630 G12 

Common features in the Canon G12 and Nikon S630

 G12 S630 
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon G12 vs Nikon S630 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon G12 features external 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 S630 has dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs).

See the Canon G12 and Nikon S630 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the G12 and the S630.

Canon G12 vs Nikon S630 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the G12 and S630 is 83 and 95 respectively.

Canon G12 vs Nikon S630 top view buttons comparison

Canon G12 vs Nikon S630 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes just by checking technical specs. The pic underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the G12 and S630.

As you have seen, the two cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The G12 having a larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Nikon S630 will give you greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more modern G12 is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Canon G12 vs Nikon S630 sensor size comparison

Canon G12 vs Nikon S630 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G12 vs Nikon S630 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G12 Portrait photography info
Nikon S630 Portrait photography info
47
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon G12 Street photography advice
Nikon S630 Street photography advice
64
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
heavier than others in class (401g)
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon G12 Sports photography info
Nikon S630 Sports photography info
34
image stabilization (Optical)
great battery life (370 per charge)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect AF
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon G12
Travel photography with Nikon S630
60
great battery life (370 per charge)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
really wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (401g)
MP count low (10MP)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
56
has built in flash
long zoom (260mm)
missing Timelapse function
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G12 Landscape photography information
Nikon S630 Landscape photography information
49
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (2.8 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (370 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse mode
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G12 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S630 as a Vlogging camera
60
really wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
heavier than others in class (401 grams)
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone support
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Canon G12 vs Nikon S630 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G12 and Nikon S630
 Canon PowerShot G12Nikon Coolpix S630
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot G12 Nikon Coolpix S630
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-01-19 2009-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 37-260mm (7.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.5 f/3.5-5.3
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.8 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 11.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On, Slow sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds -
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 401g (0.88 pounds) 140g (0.31 pounds)
Physical dimensions 112 x 76 x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") 97 x 58 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 47 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 161 not tested
Other
Battery life 370 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-7L EN-L12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (3 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $600 $240