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Canon G12 vs Sony G3

Portability
83
Imaging
34
Features
50
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot G12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Canon G12 vs Sony G3 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
  • Released January 2011
  • Succeeded the Canon G11
  • Updated by Canon G15
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2009
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Canon G12 vs Sony G3 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Canon G12 and Sony G3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. The resolution of the G12 (10MP) and the G3 (10MP) is very close but the G12 (1/1.7") and G3 (1/2.3") feature different sensor dimensions.

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The G12 was introduced 2 years later than the G3 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short view of how the G12 grades versus the G3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon G12 over the Sony G3

 G12 G3 
RevealedJanuary 2011January 2009More recent by 25 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Canon G12

 G3 G12 
Display sizing3.5"2.8"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution921k461kSharper display (+460k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon G12 and Sony G3

 G12 G3 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus

Canon G12 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon G12 provides outer measurements of 112mm x 76mm x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") and a weight of 401 grams (0.88 lbs) while the Sony G3 has sizing of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

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Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the G12 and the G3.

Canon G12 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the G12 and G3 is 83 and 94 respectively.

Canon G12 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Canon G12 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor measurements purely by researching specifications. The graphic underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the G12 and G3.

Plainly, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact MP but different sensor measurements. The G12 includes the larger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF simpler. The more recent G12 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon G12 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Canon G12 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G12 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon G12
Portrait photography with Sony G3
47
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
26
manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon G12 Street photography features
Sony G3 Street photography features
64
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
heavier than others in class (401 grams)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon G12 as a Sports photography camera
Sony G3 as a Sports photography camera
33
image stabilization (Optical)
good battery life (370 per charge)
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
has no phase detect AF
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,000s)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon G12
Travel photography with Sony G3
60
good battery life (370 CIPA)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (401g)
resolution not great (10MP)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
50
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G12 Landscape photography info
Sony G3 Landscape photography info
49
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (2.8")
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (370 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse function
36
manual focus
very good size screen (3.5 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G12 Vlogging information
Sony G3 Vlogging information
60
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic support
heavier than others in class (401g)
27
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic port
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Canon G12 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G12 and Sony G3
 Canon PowerShot G12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot G12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-19 2009-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing 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 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-4.5 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.8" 3.5"
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 1 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/2000 seconds -
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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video 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 grams (0.88 pounds) 185 grams (0.41 pounds)
Dimensions 112 x 76 x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-7L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $600 $200