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Canon G12 vs Olympus XZ-1

Portability
83
Imaging
34
Features
50
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot G12 front
 
Olympus XZ-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
51
Overall
41

Canon G12 vs Olympus XZ-1 Key Specs

Canon G12
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-4.5) lens
  • 401g - 112 x 76 x 48mm
  • Revealed January 2011
  • Previous Model is Canon G11
  • Renewed by Canon G15
Olympus XZ-1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
  • Introduced January 2011
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Canon G12 vs Olympus XZ-1 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Canon G12 and Olympus XZ-1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the G12 (10MP) and the XZ-1 (10MP) is fairly close but the G12 (1/1.7") and XZ-1 (1/1.63") feature totally different sensor size.

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The G12 was manufactured about the same time to the XZ-1 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the G12 matches up vs the XZ-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon G12 over the Olympus XZ-1

 G12 XZ-1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Canon G12

 XZ-1 G12 
Display sizing3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution614k461kCrisper display (+153k dot)

Common features in the Canon G12 and Olympus XZ-1

 G12 XZ-1 
IntroducedJanuary 2011January 2011Same generation
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Canon G12 vs Olympus XZ-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon G12 features external measurements 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 Olympus XZ-1 has proportions of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs).

Check the Canon G12 and Olympus XZ-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the G12 versus the XZ-1.

Canon G12 vs Olympus XZ-1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the G12 and XZ-1 is 83 and 88 respectively.

Canon G12 vs Olympus XZ-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon G12 vs Olympus XZ-1 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes just by viewing technical specs. The pic below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the G12 and XZ-1.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact resolution but not the same sensor sizes. The G12 features the larger sensor which will make achieving bokeh easier.

Canon G12 vs Olympus XZ-1 sensor size comparison

Canon G12 vs Olympus XZ-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G12 vs Olympus XZ-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G12 Portrait photography info
Olympus XZ-1 Portrait photography info
47
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
45
focusing manually
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Canon G12 as a Street photography camera
Olympus XZ-1 as a Street photography camera
64
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
more heavy than average (401 grams)
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/1.63")
heavier than competitors (275 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon G12
Sports photography with Olympus XZ-1
33
has image stabilization (Optical)
great battery life (370 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
has no phase detect AF
38
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery life (320 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon G12 Travel photography factors
Olympus XZ-1 Travel photography factors
60
great battery life (370 CIPA)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
rather wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (401g)
low megapixels (10MP)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
62
better than average battery life (320 CIPA)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (275 grams)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G12 Landscape photography factors
Olympus XZ-1 Landscape photography factors
49
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (2.8 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (370 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
missing Timelapse recording
54
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (320 shots)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.63")
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon G12
Vlogging with Olympus XZ-1
60
rather wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
more heavy than average (401g)
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
heavier than competitors (275g)
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Canon G12 vs Olympus XZ-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G12 and Olympus XZ-1
 Canon PowerShot G12Olympus XZ-1
General Information
Company Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot G12 Olympus XZ-1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-01-19 2011-01-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 TruePic V
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/1.63"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
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
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3664 x 2752
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-4.5 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 4.8 4.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.8 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 614 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - OLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m 8.60 m (ISO 800)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 401 gr (0.88 lb) 275 gr (0.61 lb)
Dimensions 112 x 76 x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 47 34
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 18.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 10.4
DXO Low light score 161 117
Other
Battery life 370 images 320 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-7L Li-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $600 $567