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Canon G12 vs Pentax S1

Portability
83
Imaging
34
Features
50
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot G12 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Canon G12 vs Pentax S1 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
  • Released January 2011
  • Earlier Model is Canon G11
  • New Model is Canon G15
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Canon G12 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Canon G12 and Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the G12 (10MP) and S1 (14MP) and the G12 (1/1.7") and S1 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The G12 was brought out within a month of the S1 which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise view of how the G12 grades vs the S1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon G12 over the Pentax S1

 G12 S1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension2.8"2.7"Larger display (+0.1")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Canon G12

 S1 G12 

Common features in the Canon G12 and Pentax S1

 G12 S1 
RevealedJanuary 2011March 2011Same generation
Manually focus More precise focusing
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Canon G12 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon G12 offers outside measurements of 112mm x 76mm x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") along with a weight of 401 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst the Pentax S1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Canon G12 and Pentax S1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the G12 against the S1.

Canon G12 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the G12 and S1 is 83 and 93 respectively.

Canon G12 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Canon G12 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes only by seeing a spec sheet. The image here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the G12 and S1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The G12 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax S1 will show greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images much more aggressively.

Canon G12 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Canon G12 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G12 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G12 Portrait photography info
Pentax S1 Portrait photography info
47
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
35
focusing manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon G12 as a Street photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Street photography camera
64
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
very small sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than average (401g)
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon G12 Sports photography information
Pentax S1 Sports photography information
33
image stabilization (Optical)
great battery power (370 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect AF
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon G12
Travel photography with Pentax S1
60
great battery power (370 CIPA)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (401 grams)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
64
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon G12
Landscape photography with Pentax S1
49
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (370 shots)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
no Timelapse recording
42
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G12 Vlogging info
Pentax S1 Vlogging info
60
relatively wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
more heavy than average (401 grams)
28
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
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Canon G12 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G12 and Pentax S1
 Canon PowerShot G12Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot G12 Pentax Optio S1
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-19 2011-03-02
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.5 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.8 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 401 gr (0.88 lbs) 157 gr (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 112 x 76 x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 260 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-7L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $600 $174