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Canon G12 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
83
Imaging
34
Features
50
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot G12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon G12 vs Panasonic ZR1 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
  • Revealed January 2011
  • Earlier Model is Canon G11
  • Newer Model is Canon G15
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Canon G12 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Canon G12 versus Panasonic ZR1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the G12 (10MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the G12 (1/1.7") and ZR1 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The G12 was released 19 months after the ZR1 which makes them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short overview of how the G12 matches up versus the ZR1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon G12 over the Panasonic ZR1

 G12 ZR1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011July 2009Newer by 19 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions2.8"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.1")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Canon G12

 ZR1 G12 

Common features in the Canon G12 and Panasonic ZR1

 G12 ZR1 
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon G12 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon G12 comes with exterior dimensions of 112mm x 76mm x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") having a weight of 401 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR1 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Canon G12 versus Panasonic ZR1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the G12 compared to the ZR1.

Canon G12 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the G12 and ZR1 is 83 and 94 respectively.

Canon G12 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Canon G12 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions only by looking at specs. The picture here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the G12 and ZR1.

All in all, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The G12 featuring a bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic ZR1 will resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots more aggressively. The newer G12 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Canon G12 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Canon G12 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G12 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G12 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography factors
47
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
21
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon G12 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography factors
64
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
very small sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition in class (401 grams)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon G12 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Sports photography camera
33
built in image stabilization (Optical)
great battery power (370 CIPA)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon G12 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Travel photography camera
60
great battery power (370 shots)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (401g)
resolution not great (10MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
57
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G12 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Landscape photography camera
49
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (2.8 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (370 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have Timelapse recording
32
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon G12
Vlogging with Panasonic ZR1
60
relatively wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (401g)
28
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
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Canon G12 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G12 and Panasonic ZR1
 Canon PowerShot G12Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot G12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-01-19 2009-07-27
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Venus Engine V
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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.8 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 5.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 401g (0.88 lb) 158g (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 76 x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-7L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $600 $280