Camera Dojo

Canon PowerShot G12: is the 2010 CCD compact still worth buying?

The short answer

The Canon PowerShot G12 is still worth buying for stills if you want ISO and exposure dials, raw files, a flip-out screen and a hot shoe on a 10 MP 1/1.7-inch CCD compact with a 28-140mm f/2.8-4.5 zoom, and can live with a heavy body, 720p video and noise above ISO 400 to 800.

It launched at $499.99, and on November 2, 2026, Kamerastore's average for a certified used G12 was $765. A G11 with the same sensor and lens was $321 to $339.

Sensor
10 MP, 1/1.7-inch CCD
Lens
28-140mm equiv., f/2.8-4.5
Screen
2.8-inch vari-angle LCD
Used, Kamerastore (Nov 2026)
$765 average
Check used pricesWhat owners say

Built from 109 opinions from 21 pages and videos. Not yet tested by Camera Dojo. Updated .

Black Canon PowerShot G12 seen from the front, lens retracted, with the G12 badge, flash window and optical viewfinder visible
Photo: KurtMervin This photo was taken with Canon PowerShot G12, CC BY-SA 3.0

The short version

The praise is consistent across the 2010 and 2011 reviews and the owners who bought one: a stainless steel chassis, front and rear control wheels, dedicated ISO and exposure compensation dials, a hot shoe for Canon Speedlites, raw files and a screen that swings out for low and high angles. Imaging Resource liked how it held shadow and highlight detail with natural color, and Bob Atkins compared its low-ISO files with a DSLR of similar pixel count.

The complaints are just as consistent. It is big and heavy for a compact (14.2 oz with battery), the optical viewfinder shows only about 78% of the frame, noise builds past ISO 400 to 800, video stops at 720p with no zoom while recording, and the battery charges only outside the camera. Age adds stuck lenses and striped screens, so test a used one before paying.

Good fit if

  • You want dials: ISO, exposure compensation and mode on top, plus front and rear control wheels
  • You want the look of a 2010 CCD compact with raw (CR2) files you can edit
  • You shoot with flash: the hot shoe takes Canon Speedlites, and the built-in flash is rated to about 23 feet at wide angle
  • You shoot from awkward angles: the screen tilts forward 180 degrees and back 90
  • You hate charging: with the screen off and the optical viewfinder in use, CIPA rates it at about 1,000 shots

Think twice if

  • You want a pocket camera: at 4.41 by 3.0 by 1.9 inches it is a jacket-pocket camera at best, and the Canon PowerShot S95 has the same sensor size in a much smaller body
  • You shoot in dim light without flash: CNET says picky shooters stay at ISO 200 or below and calls ISO 800 the highest usable setting in forgiving light
  • You want video: 720p at 24 fps, no optical zoom while filming and no microphone input
  • You need speed: Imaging Resource measured 0.66 second of shutter lag with autofocus at wide angle and 1.97 frames per second
  • You want the cheapest way into this sensor: the G11 shares it, along with the lens and screen, and Kamerastore had it at $321 and $339 against $765 for the G12 average

Canon PowerShot G10, G11, G12, G15 and G16 compared

The G10, G11 and G12 share the 28-140mm f/2.8-4.5 lens, the DIGIC 4 processor and the NB-7L battery, and the G11 and G12 also share a 10 MP CCD. The G15 moved to CMOS in 2012. Sources disagree on which model replaced the G12: Wikipedia and Canon Camera Geek say the G15, iFixit says the G16.

ModelYearSensorWhy look for it
PowerShot G10October 200814.7 MP, 1/1.7-inch CCDThe first G with DIGIC 4, the 28mm-wide 5x lens and the NB-7L battery, and the most pixels of the CCD trio. The screen is fixed. Kamerastore's certified average was $412.
PowerShot G11October 200910 MP, 1/1.7-inch CCDSame sensor, processor, lens and flip-out screen as the G12. Canon cut the resolution to favor low light. No front dial, VGA video with mono sound, and an ISO dial with 7 settings. Certified copies were $321 and $339 at Kamerastore.
PowerShot G12September 201010 MP, 1/1.7-inch CCDThis camera: adds a front control dial, 720p video with stereo sound, Hybrid IS, an HDR mode, an electronic level, SDXC support and an ISO dial with 17 settings.
PowerShot G15September 201212 MP, 1/1.7-inch CMOSBrighter f/1.8-2.8 lens, 1080p video and quicker autofocus, but a fixed screen and no CCD. Kamerastore listed used ones at $370 and $412.
PowerShot G16August 20131/1.7-inch CMOSA G15 update with DIGIC 6, Wi-Fi and 1080p at 60 fps, and the last of the old G series with an optical viewfinder. Kamerastore listed one at $470.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, photographyblog.com, imaging-resource.com, canoncamerageek.com, ifixit.com, kamerastore.com, kamerastore.com, kamerastore.com

Canon PowerShot G12 reviews: what owners and reviewers say, topic by topic

We sorted 109 opinions about the G12 from 21 pages and videos on 19 websites and channels. Each row shows how many people raised a topic and how many of them were positive. Open a row to read short quotes, each linked to its source.

Most of the 109 opinions come from 2010 and 2011 launch reviews (Imaging Resource, Cameralabs, CNET, Photography Blog, Trusted Reviews and others) and five YouTube reviews. Owner voices are thinner: Bob Atkins, who bought a G12 with his own money, a 2013 owner blog and a YouTube owner review. Reddit and DPReview forum threads could not be read, so the reliability picture comes from iFixit repair questions, not from owner counts.

  1. Screen and viewfinder32% positiveof 19

    Split by part. The vari-angle screen gets praise for odd angles and holds up in sunshine, though its resolution trailed some rivals; the optical viewfinder draws most of the criticism as small, tunnel-like and covering under 80% of the frame, though Bob Atkins and CNET still found it usable.

  2. Ease of use72% positiveof 18

    The most praised part of the camera: dedicated ISO and exposure compensation dials plus front and rear wheels give it a DSLR-like feel. The complaints are small: switches close enough to hit by accident, slowish autofocus at wide angle, and a tripod socket that blocks the battery door.

  3. Image look100% positiveof 13

    All 13 opinions are positive. Reviewers and owners praise natural color, good shadow and highlight detail and a sharp lens, and Bob Atkins compares low-ISO files with a DSLR of similar pixel count; Photography Blog found the default JPEGs a little soft, and the caveats on noise at higher ISO sit under low light.

  4. Low light and flash54% positiveof 13

    Mostly positive, with clear limits. Reviewers found files usable at ISO 1600 and even ISO 3200 at small sizes, and the hot shoe takes Canon Speedlites, but several note noise and lost detail from strong noise reduction at high ISO, and one owner sees noise past ISO 800.

  5. Video9% positiveof 11

    The weakest area. Reviewers found the 720p clips fine for short, casual use and a clear step up from the G11's VGA, but optical zoom is locked while recording, there is no microphone input, and the stereo mics sit where your fingers grip the camera.

  6. Size and weight20% positiveof 10

    Mostly negative: reviewers call it the biggest and heaviest compact of its class and too big for a shirt pocket. Owners who accept the size like it as an everyday camera, and a BBC photojournalist took one to Bahrain because a compact drew little attention.

  7. Build quality100% positiveof 9

    Every opinion is positive. Reviewers call it solid, tank-like and brick-like, built on a stainless steel chassis, with the heft of a real camera; that same weight is the main complaint under size.

  8. Batteries and charging57% positiveof 7

    Mostly positive: about 370 shots with the screen on and about 1,000 with the viewfinder alone, and one owner says he does not have to charge it too often. The complaint is charging, since the NB-7L has to come out of the camera for its wall charger.

  9. Price and value43% positiveof 7

    Split by era. Launch reviewers said the $499.99 price put it against entry-level DSLRs and preferred smaller rivals, while Bob Atkins bought one at retail and Canon Camera Geek later called it worth the money once prices dropped. The one dealer we could read, Kamerastore, now prices it above the launch price.

PositiveMixedNegative

Canon G12 vs G11: what changed and which to buy

PowerShot G11PowerShot G12
ReleasedOctober 2009September 2010
Sensor and processor10 MP 1/1.7-inch CCD, DIGIC 410 MP 1/1.7-inch CCD, DIGIC 4
Lens28-140mm equiv., f/2.8-4.528-140mm equiv., f/2.8-4.5
Control dialsRear wheel, ISO dial with 7 settingsAdds a front dial; ISO dial with 17 settings in 1/3 stops
VideoVGA (640 x 480), mono sound720p at 24 fps, stereo sound
Hybrid IS (helps close-ups)NoYes
Battery life, screen on (CIPA)About 390 shotsAbout 370 shots
Used, Kamerastore (Nov 2, 2026)$321 and $339 (in stock)$765 average, sold out

Pick the PowerShot G11 if

  • You shoot stills and want the same sensor, lens and screen for less than half the price at Kamerastore ($321 and $339 against $765)
  • You never film anything
  • You want a few more shots per charge: about 390 against 370

Pick the PowerShot G12 if

  • You shoot in manual and want the front dial for aperture or shutter speed
  • You want 720p video with stereo sound for short clips
  • You shoot close-ups and want Hybrid IS, which also corrects shift blur at close range

Sources: photographyblog.com, imaging-resource.com, whatdigitalcamera.com, digitaltrends.com, en.wikipedia.org, kamerastore.com, kamerastore.com

Best settings for the Canon PowerShot G12

These come from what reviewers found with the G12 in 2010 and 2011, plus Canon's specifications.

  1. 1

    Keep ISO at 80 to 400

    Photography Blog found clean files from ISO 80 to 400, with some noise and color loss at ISO 800. CNET says picky shooters won't go past ISO 200. The ISO dial on top moves in 1/3 stops, so you can set it without a menu.

  2. 2

    Shoot JPEG with My Colors, or raw to edit

    CNET found the G12's raw files gave no clear advantage over its JPEGs, unlike the Panasonic LX5's. Trusted Reviews found the default color conservative on dull days and got truer colors from the saturation-boosting Vivid option in the My Colors menu. A raw frame takes about a second to write, so raw is not for fast action.

  3. 3

    Add sharpening

    Photography Blog found images a little soft at the default sharpening setting and suggests raising it in the camera or sharpening afterward in software.

  4. 4

    Use the ND filter in bright light

    The built-in neutral density filter, switched on from the FUNC menu, lets you open the aperture or slow the shutter in daylight. Canon Camera Geek singles it out for long exposures and shallower depth of field.

  5. 5

    Frame on the screen, save battery with the viewfinder

    The optical viewfinder shows about 78% of the scene, so use the vari-angle screen when the edges matter. With the screen off and the viewfinder in use, CIPA battery life rises from about 370 to about 1,000 shots.

  6. 6

    For the direct-flash look, use the flash

    Photography Blog saw no red-eye and good exposure from the built-in flash indoors, with some vignetting at 28mm. In Auto, Imaging Resource saw the camera raise ISO to 250, so set ISO yourself if you want a cleaner file. More in our direct flash guide.

  7. 7

    Know what Low Light and HDR do

    Low Light mode drops resolution to 1,824 x 1,368 pixels and raises ISO for handheld shots in dim rooms. HDR merges frames in the camera but cannot align them, so it needs a tripod.

Sources: photographyblog.com, cnet.com, trustedreviews.com, imaging-resource.com, canoncamerageek.com

Canon G12 battery, charger and memory cards

The G12 runs on Canon's NB-7L lithium-ion pack (7.4 V, 1,050 mAh), rated by CIPA at about 370 shots with the screen on and about 1,000 with the optical viewfinder alone. It charges only outside the camera, in the CB-2LZ wall charger with a folding plug; there is no USB or DC charging.

Spares are cheap. On November 2, 2026, Wasabi Power listed a third-party NB-7L at $15.99, two batteries with a charger at $23.99 and a charger alone at $11.99. Imaging Resource points out a handy detail: the battery's cover has a slot that fits over an arrow printed on the pack, so you can mark which spare is charged.

It takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, and Canon recommends speed class 4 or faster for recording movies. There is no built-in memory and no card in the box. A 4 GB card holds about 1,471 images, according to Canon, and Trusted Reviews lists a video clip limit of 4 GB or 29 minutes 59 seconds.

Imaging Resource measured 6,433 KB/s over the camera's USB 2.0 port, or you can pull the card and use any SD reader. The full manual came only on CD, so download the user guide from Canon USA's support page before a trip.

When buying used, check that a charger comes with it, Canon or third party: the battery cannot charge inside the camera.

Sources: imaging-resource.com, photographyblog.com, reviewed.com, trustedreviews.com, wasabipower.com, usa.canon.com

Canon G12 accessories: filters, flash and remote

A release button on the front frees the knurled ring around the lens. In its place, Canon's optional FA-DC58B adapter takes 58mm filters and extends along with the lens, so screw-in filters fit; the same mount took Canon's 1.4x teleconverter. Canon also sold colored ring kits (RAK-DC2, $27 list).

The hot shoe on top of the viewfinder hump has five electrical contacts and works with Canon Speedlites, which Cameralabs calls one of the things that set the G series apart from normal compacts. There is also a socket for a wired remote shutter release.

Sources: imaging-resource.com, bobatkins.com, cameralabs.com

What to check before buying a used Canon G12

  1. 1

    Run the lens out and back

    Switch on, zoom to the long end and back, and switch off, at least twice. iFixit's G12 forum has several threads on lenses stuck out or a lens error that shuts the camera down.

  2. 2

    Flip and twist the screen

    Swing the LCD through its full range while watching the picture. Pink and blue stripes or a blank screen are a fault one iFixit commenter called a common problem on the G12.

  3. 3

    Work every dial and button

    iFixit notes that in 2011 some G12 zoom and setting buttons stuck because of an internal hardware issue, which was resolved with Canon. Turn every dial and press every button.

  4. 4

    Ask about the battery and charger

    Find out whether the NB-7L and charger are Canon or third party. An old or corroded battery is the first cause iFixit's troubleshooting page lists when a G12 won't power on.

  5. 5

    Compare with a G11

    The G11 has the same sensor, lens and screen. Kamerastore had two certified G11s at $321 and $339 on November 2, 2026, against a $765 average for a certified G12.

Sources: ifixit.com, ifixit.com, ifixit.com, ifixit.com, ifixit.com, kamerastore.com, kamerastore.com

Canon G12 problems and what fixing them costs

These are the faults G12 owners raise on iFixit's repair forum plus two design limits reviewers flagged at launch; no Canon recall or service program for the G12 turned up in the sources, so check Canon USA's product advisories page before counting on one.

Lens stuck out or a 'lens error'

How you notice
The lens stays fully extended and will not retract, or it sticks at the long end, and the camera shuts down. One iFixit poster who used G10, G11 and G12 bodies in a boat inspection business had seven G11 and G12 lenses get stuck.
Fix
The poster in one thread had already tried cleaning around the lens and pulling the battery out and back in. A later reply from a former owner said the cause on that G12 was a partly broken focus flex cable, replaced with a part from AliExpress in a delicate, difficult repair. Another iFixit reply blames a drop that shifted the inner barrels or a damaged flex cable, which can be replaced but means taking the camera apart.
Typical cost
No current US repair price could be verified in the sources. Get a quote before buying a G12 with this fault.

Sources: ifixit.com, ifixit.com, ifixit.com

Screen shows pink and blue stripes or no picture

How you notice
The LCD flickers with blue and pink stripes instead of the image, or stays blank, while the photos themselves can be fine.
Fix
iFixit's top answer calls it a broken LCD and links its replacement guide. Its troubleshooting page also lists wires to the screen coming loose after corrosion or a drop.
Typical cost
A 2016 iFixit commenter paid $89 for parts and labor at a shop that serviced only Canon PowerShots, after two earlier repairs failed. No current price turned up.

Sources: ifixit.com, ifixit.com, ifixit.com

Sticking zoom and setting buttons (2011)

How you notice
According to iFixit, some G12 zoom and setting buttons stuck in 2011 because of an internal hardware issue.
Fix
iFixit says it was resolved through Canon and that no mass-scale problems were reported after that. On a used body, test every button and dial before paying.
Typical cost
Not documented.

Sources: ifixit.com

Camera won't turn on

How you notice
No response from the power button.
Fix
Charge the NB-7L first, replace it if it is old or corroded, and clean the battery terminal with a dry cloth, as iFixit's troubleshooting page advises. If none of that works, the power button or a circuit connector may be at fault.
Typical cost
A third-party NB-7L was $15.99 at Wasabi Power on November 2, 2026.

Sources: ifixit.com, wasabipower.com

Optical viewfinder shows only part of the frame (design limit)

Raised in 4 opinions

How you notice
Imaging Resource measured 78% coverage at wide angle and 79% at telephoto; Photo Review calls the finder small and tunnel-like.
Fix
Frame on the screen when the edges matter, and use the viewfinder to stretch battery life.
Typical cost
None.

Sources: imaging-resource.com, photoreview.com.au

Noise and soft JPEGs above ISO 400 (design limit)

Raised in 3 opinions

How you notice
Photography Blog found clean files only at ISO 80 to 400 and soft results at the default sharpening setting. CNET calls ISO 800 the highest usable setting in forgiving light.
Fix
Keep ISO at 400 or lower, raise in-camera sharpening or sharpen in software, and use flash indoors.
Typical cost
None.

Sources: photographyblog.com, cnet.com

Photos taken with a Canon PowerShot G12

A Wikimedia Commons photo taken with a Canon PowerShot G12.

What a used Canon PowerShot G12 costs today

The G12 is long discontinued, so you are buying used, and the one dealer price we could read now runs above its $499.99 launch price. On November 2, 2026, Kamerastore's average for a certified used G12 was $765 (sold out), while two certified G11s, with the same sensor and lens, were in stock at $321 and $339.

  • Kamerastore (Finland, USD)

    Used, certified (sold out), PowerShot G12; Kamerastore's average certified-condition price

    $765.00

    See listing

  • Kamerastore (Finland, USD)

    Used, certified, in stock, PowerShot G11 (same sensor and lens)

    $321.00

    See listing

  • Kamerastore (Finland, USD)

    Used, certified, in stock, PowerShot G11 (same sensor and lens)

    $339.00

    See listing

  • Kamerastore (Finland, USD)

    Used, certified (sold out), PowerShot G10; average certified-condition price

    $412.00

    See listing

  • K&M Camera (New York)

    Used, grade U7 (out of stock), PowerShot G10 body

    $329.99

    See listing

  • Kamerastore (Finland, USD)

    Used, PowerShot G15 (12 MP CMOS, f/1.8-2.8 lens)

    $370.00 to $412.00

    See listing

  • Kamerastore (Finland, USD)

    Used, PowerShot G16

    $470.00

    See listing

  • Wasabi Power

    New, third party, NB-7L battery

    $15.99

    See listing

  • Wasabi Power

    New, third party, Two NB-7L batteries and a charger

    $23.99

    See listing

  • Wasabi Power

    New, third party, NB-7L charger (CB-2LZ type)

    $11.99

    See listing

Prices checked on November 2, 2026. They move every week, so treat them as a range, not a quote. Kamerastore is a Finnish dealer that sells in US dollars and calculates duties and taxes at checkout; its G12 was sold out, so $765 is its average for a certified copy, not stock you can buy. K&M Camera in New York had no G12 listed. MPB, KEH, B&H and eBay pages block automated checks, so their prices are not shown. Canon Price Watch still listed a KEH EX+ copy at $223.20 with a coupon and a Canon refurbished unit at $149.99, out of stock; check the live listings before counting on either. For cheaper options, see [cheap digicams worth buying used](/digicams/cheap-digicams/).

Video reviews worth your time

  • Canon PowerShot G12 Review

    infosyncvideos, 2010

    The Canon PowerShot G12 is a solid compact camera offering extensive manual controls and high image quality for advanced photographers.

    • 0:39 Design overview and physical control layout breakdown.
    • 3:01 Review of shooting features and custom settings.
    • 5:28 Evaluation of photo image quality and low light performance.
    • 6:19 Testing video quality and video mode limitations.

  • Canon PowerShot G12 review and hands on

    SimplyElectronics, 2010

    The Canon PowerShot G12 is a versatile fixed-lens camera that offers advanced manual controls, an articulating screen, and strong image quality for users wanting more capability than a basic point-and-shoot.

    • 00:24 Unboxing overview showing included camera accessories and manual kit
    • 01:25 Close-up view of the side port compartment and connectivity jacks
    • 02:03 Demonstration of the 270-degree rotating swivel LCD screen
    • 02:34 Explanation of the front control dial and manual operation

  • Canon Powershot G12 video review

    techradararchive, 2012

    The Canon PowerShot G12 offers DSLR-style physical controls and a versatile articulated screen in a compact body, making it a great tool for advanced photographers despite its higher price.

    • 0:08 Presenter introduces the Canon PowerShot G12 camera review
    • 0:44 Demonstrating physical dials and controls on the camera body
    • 1:10 Flipping out and using the articulated LCD screen
    • 1:40 Navigating the menu system using the rear jog wheel

  • Canon Powershot G12 Review

    taptapking video, 2021

    The Canon PowerShot G12 is a control-rich compact camera featuring a versatile swivel screen and strong low-light image performance, though its video mode and optical viewfinder have notable limitations.

    • 0:20 Demonstrating the swivel LCD screen
    • 0:54 Overview of physical control dials and buttons
    • 2:27 Explaining Quick Shot mode features
    • 4:42 Testing low-light image quality across ISO levels

  • Canon Powershot G12 - My Thoughts | Fun Little Compact Camera :-)

    David Cuhls, 2023

    The Canon PowerShot G12 is a solid compact camera offering great physical controls and image quality, though its video capabilities and high ISO performance are outdated.

    • 00:09 Overview of the Canon PowerShot G12 design.
    • 02:47 Reviewer inspects the camera's rear buttons and LCD screen.
    • 06:36 Demonstration of removing the front lens attachment ring.
    • 09:05 Reviewer shows the bottom battery and SD card door.

Questions people ask about the G12

How old is the Canon PowerShot G12?

Canon announced it in September 2010, around Photokina, as the replacement for the 2009 G11, and US availability began in early October 2010. That makes it 16 years old in 2026.

Sources: reviewed.com, imaging-resource.com

What is the difference between the Canon G11 and G12?

The G12 keeps the G11's 10 MP CCD, DIGIC 4 processor, 28-140mm lens and flip-out screen. It adds a front control dial, 720p video with stereo sound (the G11 records VGA with mono sound), Hybrid IS, an HDR mode, an electronic level and SDXC support, and its ISO dial has 17 settings instead of 7.

Sources: photographyblog.com, imaging-resource.com, whatdigitalcamera.com

Is the Canon G12 still relevant today?

For stills, yes, if you want a dial-driven CCD compact with raw files, a flip-out screen and a hot shoe, and can live with a big body, 720p video and noise above ISO 400 to 800. Price is the harder part: Kamerastore's certified average was $765 on November 2, 2026, above the $499.99 launch price. PCMag already argued in 2011 that the G12 "just doesn't make as much sense as it once did" for its size.

Sources: kamerastore.com, uk.pcmag.com, cnet.com

Does the Canon PowerShot G12 shoot RAW?

Yes. It records JPEG, raw (Canon CR2) and raw plus JPEG. A raw frame takes about a second to write, and CNET found the raw files gave no clear advantage over the G12's JPEGs, unlike the Panasonic LX5's.

Sources: imaging-resource.com, cnet.com

Did Canon discontinue the G12 camera?

Yes, it is sold only used now. Canon Camera Geek says Canon skipped a G13 and G14 and replaced it with the G15, which Wikipedia dates to September 2012; iFixit says the G16 replaced it in 2013. The G15 swapped the CCD for a 12 MP CMOS sensor and has a fixed screen.

Sources: canoncamerageek.com, en.wikipedia.org, ifixit.com

What are the shutter speeds of the Canon G12?

Canon's spec sheet and Kamerastore list 15 seconds to 1/4000 second. Canon Camera Geek gives 1 second as the slowest speed, so sources differ on the slow end.

Sources: kamerastore.com, usa.canon.com, canoncamerageek.com

Is the Canon PowerShot G11 a good camera?

Digital Trends tested the G11 a year before the G12 and liked it a lot, with the lack of HD video as its main drawback. It shares the G12's 10 MP CCD, lens and flip-out screen, and Kamerastore had certified G11s at $321 and $339 on November 2, 2026, which makes it the cheaper way to the same sensor and lens.

Sources: digitaltrends.com, kamerastore.com

What's the best Canon PowerShot?

It depends on what you want from it. Among the 2010 models, PCMag pointed buyers who wanted a small camera to the [PowerShot S95](/cameras/canon-powershot-s95/), which has the same sensor size and a brighter f/2.0 lens at wide angle, while the G12 is the one with dials, a flip-out screen and a hot shoe. For a newer pocket model, see the [PowerShot G7 X](/cameras/canon-powershot-g7-x/).

Sources: uk.pcmag.com

What people compare it with

  • Canon PowerShot G11 (2009)

    Same 10 MP CCD, DIGIC 4, lens and flip-out screen for less than half Kamerastore's G12 average ($321 and $339 against $765 on November 2, 2026). You give up the front dial, 720p video and Hybrid IS.

  • Canon PowerShot S95 (2010)

    The pocketable 2010 sibling: the same 1/1.7-inch sensor size, a brighter 28-105mm f/2.0-4.9 lens and 193 g without battery. PCMag and Imaging Resource both pointed buyers who wanted a small camera to it.

  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 (2010)

    The rival with a wider, brighter 24-90mm f/2.0-3.3 lens. Trusted Reviews called it its personal favorite among high-end compacts and said it would take faster, more compact alternatives over the G12.

  • Canon PowerShot G15 and G16 (2012, 2013)

    The CMOS successors with a brighter f/1.8-2.8 lens and 1080p video, and Wi-Fi on the G16, but a fixed screen. Kamerastore listed used ones at $370 to $470.

Every source behind this page

Read them yourself. How we pick and count them is in our methodology.

Show all 39 sources

Manuals and references 18

Editorial reviews 10

Independent blogs 5

Video reviews 5

Other 1