Review posted 11/08/2010

Quick Take

Pros

Well built frame Useful new front control wheel Produced beautiful 10M photos Nice 5x optical zoom lens with true optical image stabilization Fast f/2.8 aperture aids with low-light performance Fast AF system, even in low light thanks to AF-assist lamp Packed full of useful exposure controls and modes High-quality 2.8-inch rotating LCD Unmatched high ISO performance by the majority of consumer cameras on market today Finally, HD video! Great battery life Speedy shooting performance Cool in-camera HDR mode

Cons

It's still very easy to accidentally move the Exposure Compensation dial, which can cause images to be over or under exposed Space between LCD and rear control wheel is a bit cramped Excessive amounts of Red-eye with Red-eye Reduction Lamp on, and correction off

Bottom Line

Canon has impressed us once again with the most powerful and capable G-series camera to date. The G12 excels in various environments, especially low light thanks to class leading high ISO performance and a fast lens. Very few grips with this one, such as excessive red-eye in our people photos. Read more in our Full Conclusion.

Canon has unveiled the latest generation of their powerful G-series line of PowerShot cameras, with the introduction of the PowerShot G12. This unit builds off the foundations laid by its predecessors, like the PowerShot G11, offering top of the line features and performance in a compact frame. With advanced exposure controls and dials, high ISO options, and RAW image capture, the G12 offers many options one would find on an entry-level dSLR packed into a frame that can be tucked into a small bag.

Most of the G12's key features remain the same from the G11, however Canon has added some nice improvements to make the G12 stand out. These include their newer Hybrid IS system, which compensates for both shift and angular camera movement, in-camera HDR mode, 720p HD recording, and several other new scene modes to name a few.

Powershot G12 Key Features:

• Large, 1/1.7-inch 10-megapixel CCD imager for up to 3648x2736 pixel images
• Canon's DIGIC 4 image processor and HS (High Sensitivity) System
  
• 5x optical zoom covers 28-140mm f/2.8-4.5 zoom
• Hybrid type optical image stabilization system (angular and shift compensation)
• 2.8-inch vari-anlge (rotates 270 degrees) color LCD with 461k pixels and 100% frame coverage
• Advanced TTL AiAF 9-point autofocus system
• RAW image capture (RAW+JPEG also available)
• Low-light focus assist illuminator
• Intelligent Auto, Program AE, Shutter-speed priority, Aperture priority, Manual, and Custom exposure modes
• 21 Pre-programmed creative scene modes for specific shooting situations
• New in-camera HDR mode
  
• Movie mode w/stereo sound at resolutions of 1280x720 (720p) or 640x480 (VGA) at 30fps, length limited to memory capacity (4GB clip size max.)
• 2.0fps Continuous burst capture of Large/Fine images (up to 4.2fps in Low Light mode)
  
• Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB and Face Detect Self-timer mode
• Evaluative, Center-weighted or Spot metering options (fixed to the center or linked to the AF frame)
• Stitch Assist mode for perfect panoramas
• Exposure compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3-step increments
• White Balance: Auto, 7 presets and two Custom settings
• Orientation sensor that automatically detects vertical or horizontal shooting
• Light-guide zoom flash, angle changes with focal length
• Hot shoe accommodates Canon Speedlites
• Flash output compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3-step increments
• Shutter speeds of 15 seconds to 1/4000 second
• Selectable ISO settings from 80 to 3200 in 1/3 or 1/2 EV increments
  
• Low Light mode boasts ISO speeds from ISO 3200 - 12,800 (all photos captured in this mode are only 2.5-megapixels)
• Built-in stereo microphones and speaker
• Uses Canon's powerful NB-7L 7.4v 1050 mAh Li-ion battery pack (up to 370 shots per charge)
  
• Direct print and PictBridge Compatible
• USB 2.0 high-speed connectivity for PC and Mac
• SDHC/SD/MMC/MMC Plus compatibility
• HDMI ouput to HDTV sets
  
• Optional Lens Adapter LA-DC58K and Tele Converter TC-DC58D
• Optional Canon EX-series Speedlites
  
• Optional Waterproof Housing WP-DC34

The Canon PowerShot G12 is available now with a suggested retail price of $499.99 US.

The G12 camera kit includes:

• Canon G12 camera body
  
• Lithium Battery Pack NB-7L
• Battery Charger CB-2LZ
• Neck Strap NS-DC9
• Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
• USB Interface Cable IFC-400PCU
• AV Cable AVC-DC400ST
• Camera User's Manual