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Canon G12 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
83
Imaging
34
Features
50
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot G12 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Canon G12 vs Pentax MX-1 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
  • Announced January 2011
  • Superseded the Canon G11
  • Renewed by Canon G15
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Introduced July 2013
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Canon G12 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Below is a detailed overview of the Canon G12 vs Pentax MX-1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the G12 (10MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is very similar and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/1.7").

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The G12 was unveiled 3 years before the MX-1 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a short view of how the G12 grades against the MX-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon G12 over the Pentax MX-1

 G12 MX-1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Canon G12

 MX-1 G12 
IntroducedJuly 2013January 2011More recent by 29 months
Display sizing3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution920k461kClearer display (+459k dot)

Common features in the Canon G12 and Pentax MX-1

 G12 MX-1 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Canon G12 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Canon G12 has outside dimensions of 112mm x 76mm x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") with a weight of 401 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Pentax MX-1 has sizing of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Examine the Canon G12 vs Pentax MX-1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the G12 against the MX-1.

Canon G12 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the G12 and MX-1 is 83 and 84 respectively.

Canon G12 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon G12 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to picture the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reviewing technical specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the G12 and MX-1.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Pentax MX-1 to offer you extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The older G12 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon G12 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Canon G12 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G12 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G12 Portrait photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography factors
47
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW files
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
42
manual focus
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Canon G12 as a Street photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
64
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
heavier than others in class (401g)
65
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
sensor is small (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon G12
Sports photography with Pentax MX-1
33
image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery pack (370 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
great battery pack (290 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon G12 Travel photography features
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography features
60
better than average battery pack (370 per charge)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
quite wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (401g)
resolution not great (10MP)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
61
great battery pack (290 per charge)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G12 Landscape photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography advice
49
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (2.8")
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (370 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse recording
55
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (290 per charge)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G12 Vlogging highlights
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging highlights
60
quite wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
slow max aperture (f2.8)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
heavier than others in class (401g)
33
quite wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
no external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (391 grams)
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Canon G12 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G12 and Pentax MX-1
 Canon PowerShot G12Pentax MX-1
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot G12 Pentax MX-1
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-01-19 2013-07-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.5 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 4.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display size 2.8 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
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 401 gr (0.88 pounds) 391 gr (0.86 pounds)
Dimensions 112 x 76 x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 47 49
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 11.3
DXO Low light rating 161 208
Other
Battery life 370 images 290 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-7L D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $600 $400