Canon Powershot G12 vs Nikon Coolpix P7000 Comparison
Canon Powershot G12
Nikon Coolpix P7000
The Canon Powershot G12 and the Nikon Coolpix P7000 are two of the most advanced compact digital cameras on the market. This type of digital camera is aimed at the serious hobby photographer or at a professional photographer who is looking for a camera that they can carry around with them when they are searching for great locations for photographs.
The Powershot G12 and the Coolpix P7000 offer excellent picture quality as well as a comprehensive range of features.
Basic Specification
Canon Powershot G12
10 megapixels
5x Optical Zoom
2.8 inch LCD screen
Macro Focus: 1cm
Wide Angle Lens
High Definition Movies
Dimensions 112.1 x 76.2 x 48.3 mm
Weight: 401g
Nikon Coolpix P7000
10 megapixels
7x Optical Zoom
3 inch LCD screen
Macro Focus: 3cm
Wide Angle Lens
High Definition Movies
Dimensions 77 x 114.2 x 44.8mm
Weight: 360g
Features
The big difference between the cameras is the pull out and twist round vari angle LCD screen that the Powershot G12 has. This is great for shooting at awkward angles. The screen is slightly smaller at 2.8 inches as opposed to the 3 inch screen on the Coolpix P7000.
The Powershot G12 can also get in closer for macro shots. It is able to focus at just 1cm away from the subject. Be aware though that when you get in that close it is not always easy to get enough light into the lens.
The other noticeable difference is the fact the Coolpix P7000 has the longer zoom lens with 7x zoom available. This can make a difference to your shots.
Other than that there are a lot of similarities such as image stabilisation, High Definition movies, wide angle lenses, the ability to shoot in RAW mode and a hot shoe on top of the cameras.
There are manual exposure controls available on the Powershot G12 and the Coolpix P7000. They also have the ability to allow you to store your favourite settings as custom controls.
Design
These cameras are on the large size for slipping into a pocket. As with previous models in this series the Powershot G12 feels like a brick. I mean that as a compliment. It feels very solid in the hand.
It comes as no surprise to see that the Coolpix P7000 is 40g lighter. It too has a solid feel, but not in the same way that the Powershot G12 does,
Power Supply
Both cameras run on lithium ion batteries. The slightly larger camera size allows for larger, longer lasting batteries than many standard pocket cameras. Batteries and chargers are supplied as standard.
Picture Quality
As you might expect both cameras will deliver picture quality that will satisfy all but the most picky of photographers. It is hard to find a compact camera capable of producing better quality shots than these two.
Comparing the two cameras I feel the Powershot G12 has the edge when it comes to picture quality. Reasons for this include extra detail showing in darker and lighter areas of a shot and all round sharper photos.
One of the big advantages of these feature rich models is that you have the ability to fine tune your photos to a much greater degree than you would with more basic models. For example you have the ability to make minor adjustments to white balance to come up with colours just the way you would like them to look.
The quality of the lenses compares very well with some of the lenses that form part of Digital SLR kits.
Build Quality
I can't recall using a digital cameras that gives a better feel in the hand than the Powershot G12. This is an area where the camera really stands out from the crowd. The dials click into place and it is difficult to accidentally change a setting when you are retrieving the camera from a camera bag. Top marks!
Ease of Use
With all of the features on offer neither of these cameras can be described as easy to use. They do have plenty of buttons and dials though that make changing settings as swift as possible. As ever the menu layout used by Nikon is as clear as it can possibly be. I feel accessing the functions available on the Powershot G12 and other Canon digital cameras is something that could be improved.
Although both of these cameras offer improved picture quality over more run of the mill digital cameras it is the features on offer that really make these cameras stand out as a cut above so many models. Therefore it is worth taking the time and trouble to get to know them well to ensure you get the most out of your purchase.
Verdict
If the combination of picture quality and a wide range of features is what you are looking for then you will be hard pressed to find much better from compact sized digital cameras.
Close analysis of picture quality and also build quality gives a clear edge to the Canon Powershot G12 in my view. I would happily own that camera and use it on a regular basis.
Where to Buy - Canon Powershot G12
Where to Buy - Nikon Coolpix P7000
Product Shots
Front View
Canon Powershot G12
Nikon Coolpix P7000
Back View
Canon Powershot G12
Nikon Coolpix P7000
Top View
Canon Powershot G12
Nikon Coolpix P7000
