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Canon G12 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
83
Imaging
35
Features
50
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot G12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Canon G12 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Launched January 2011
  • Succeeded the Canon G11
  • Replacement is Canon G15
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2014
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Canon G12 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Canon G12 and Panasonic SZ8, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the G12 (10MP) and SZ8 (16MP) and the G12 (1/1.7") and SZ8 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizes.

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The G12 was introduced 4 years prior to the SZ8 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a short view of how the G12 grades against the SZ8 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon G12 over the Panasonic SZ8

 G12 SZ8 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution461k460kClearer screen (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Canon G12

 SZ8 G12 
IntroducedJanuary 2014January 2011More modern by 36 months
Screen dimension3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon G12 and Panasonic SZ8

 G12 SZ8 
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon G12 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon G12 provides exterior dimensions of 112mm x 76mm x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") along with a weight of 401 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ8 has measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Canon G12 and Panasonic SZ8 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the G12 versus the SZ8.

Canon G12 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the G12 and SZ8 is 83 and 94 respectively.

Canon G12 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Canon G12 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes just by going through specifications. The pic here may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the G12 and SZ8.

To sum up, both of those cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The G12 with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic SZ8 will show more detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged G12 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon G12 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Canon G12 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G12 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G12 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography information
47
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
35
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon G12 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
64
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
heavier than competition (401 grams)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (159 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon G12 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography highlights
34
image stabilization (Optical)
good battery life (370 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect autofocus
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon G12 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
60
good battery life (370 shots)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (401 grams)
megapixel count low (10MP)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than average (159 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G12 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Landscape photography camera
49
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (2.8")
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (370 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse recording
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon G12
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
60
reasonably wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
slow max aperture (f2.8)
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
heavier than competition (401 grams)
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
lighter than average (159 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
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Canon G12 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G12 and Panasonic SZ8
 Canon PowerShot G12Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot G12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-01-19 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Venus Engine
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 area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 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 Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-4.5 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.8 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m 5.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
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 lb) 159g (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 112 x 76 x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images 200 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-7L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $600 $275