Our Verdict
While the PowerShot G12 builds on the successful formula set out by the G11, it doesn’t really add anything new. It is perhaps best to think of it as a G11 Mark II, but this is no bad thing – the G11 is an excellent camera, winning AP’s 2010 Enthusiast Compact of the Year award.
The problem is that the G series is now facing a lot more competition, not only from other high-end compact cameras but also from small micro-system models, and it is difficult to see how exactly Canon could improve on the G12. As I said previously, I think it is now time to go back to the drawing board and replace the optical viewfinder with a hybrid electronic version to make the feature far more useful. A more controversial solution would be to remove the viewfinder to make the camera smaller. A higher resolution screen would also be a welcome addition.
As it stands, the Canon PowerShot G12 is a fantastic camera and the HD video capture and new control dial are great. Enthusiast photographers looking for a compact model with the handling and flexibility of a DSLR should look no further than the PowerShot G12.
