Canon PowerShot G3 X vs Canon PowerShot G12

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon PowerShot G3 X and the Canon PowerShot G12, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Canon PowerShot G3 X was introduced in June 2015 and Canon PowerShot G12 was introduced in January 2011. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot G3 X over Canon PowerShot G12.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot G12 over Canon PowerShot G3 X.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Canon PowerShot G3 X has a 3.20" Tilting screen with 1,620k dot resolution and Canon PowerShot G12 has a 2.80" Fully Articulated screen with 461k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes Canon PowerShot G3 X very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting. Fully articulated screen makes Canon PowerShot G12 selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting. Canon PowerShot G3 X also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

Viewfinder

Canon PowerShot G12 has a built-in Optical (tunnel) viewfinder. It has a .Canon PowerShot G3 X does not have a built-in viewfinder but an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached.

Canon PowerShot G3 X features a 20.1 megapixel 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 13.2 x 8.8 mm and a total area of 116.2 mm². Its native ISO range is 125 - 12,800 and expands to 125 - 25,600 in boosted mode. Canon PowerShot G12 features a 10 megapixel 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 7.44 x 5.58 mm and a total area of 31.1 mm². Its native ISO range is 80 - 3,200.

Canon PowerShot G3 X has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Canon PowerShot G3 X is equipped with DIGIC 6 processor and can take pictures up to 5472 x 3648 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3:2 (4320 x 2880, 2304 x 1536, 720 x 480), 16:9 (5472 x 3080, 4320 x 2432, 1920 x 1080, 720 x 408), 4:3 (4864 x 3648, 3840 x 2880, 2048 x 1536, 640 x 480), 1:1 (3648 x 3648, 2880 x 2880, 1536 x 1536, 480 x 480) with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Canon PowerShot G12 is equipped with DIGIC 4 processor and can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2736, 3648 x 2432, 3648 x 2048, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2736 x 2736, 2192 x 2736, 2112 x 2112, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1064, 1696 x 2112, 1200 x 1200, 960 x 1200, 640 x 480, 640 x 424, 640 x 360, 480 x 480, 384 x 480, 320 x 240 with 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Canon PowerShot G12 has an image stabilization.

Built-in Wi-Fi on Canon PowerShot G3 X

Canon PowerShot G3 X has a built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

NFC on Canon PowerShot G3 X

Canon PowerShot G3 X has Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Both cameras have HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Canon PowerShot G3 X comes with NB-10L battery pack with battery life of 300 shots and Canon PowerShot G12 comes with NB-7L battery pack with battery life of 370 shots.

External Storage Slots

Canon PowerShot G3 X has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible) card slot. Canon PowerShot G12 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Canon PowerShot G3 X, and up to 1/4000 sec on Canon PowerShot G12. Canon PowerShot G3 X can shoot continuously up to 5.9 fps. Canon PowerShot G12 can shoot continuously up to 1.1 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 6.80 m at Auto ISO on Canon PowerShot G3 X and 7.00 m on Canon PowerShot G12. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Shoe Mount. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/2000 sec on Canon PowerShot G12.

Canon PowerShot G3 X body has dimensions of 123 x 77 x 105 mm (4.84 x 3.03 x 4.13") and Canon PowerShot G12 body has dimensions of 112 x 76 x 48 mm (4.41 x 2.99 x 1.89"). Canon PowerShot G3 X weighs 733 g (1.62 lb / 25.86 oz) and Canon PowerShot G12 weighs 401 g (0.88 lb / 14.14 oz).

Canon PowerShot G3 X

Canon PowerShot G12

123 mm

77 mm

112 mm

76 mm

77 mm

76 mm

105 mm

48 mm