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Canon 1000D vs G12

The Canon EOS 1000D (called Canon XS in some regions) and the Canon PowerShot G12 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in June 2008 and September 2010. The 1000D is a DSLR, while the G12 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (1000D) and a 1/1.7-inch (G12) sensor. The 1000D has a resolution of 10.1 megapixels, whereas the G12 provides 10 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon 1000D
versus
Canon G12
Canon 1000D   Canon G12
Digital single lens reflex Fixed lens compact camera
Canon EF mount lenses 28-140mm f/2.8-4.5
10.1 MP – APS-C sensor 10 MP – 1/1.7" sensor
no Video 720/24p Video
ISO 100-800 (100 - 1,600) ISO 80-3,200 (80 - 12,800)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
2.5" LCD – 230k dots 2.8" LCD – 461k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 1.1 shutter flaps per second
500 shots per battery charge370 shots per battery charge
126 x 98 x 65 mm, 502 g 112 x 76 x 48 mm, 401 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 1000D and the Canon PowerShot G12? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon 1000D and the Canon G12 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon 1000D vs Canon G12
Compare 1000D versus G12 top
Comparison 1000D or G12 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon G12 is considerably smaller (31 percent) than the Canon 1000D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 1000D nor the G12 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the G12 has a lens built in, whereas the 1000D is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the 1000D and their specifications in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the 1000D gets 500 shots out of its Canon LP-E5 battery, while the G12 can take 370 images on a single charge of its Canon NB-7L power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 1000D 126 mm 98 mm 65 mm 502 g 500 n Jun 2008 449ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G12 112 mm 76 mm 48 mm 401 g 370 n Sep 2010 499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 2000D 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 475 g 500 n Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 4000D 129 mm 102 mm 77 mm 436 g 500 n Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon 1300D 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 485 g 500 n Mar 2016 449ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 1200D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 449ebay.com
7.
 
Canon G16 109 mm 76 mm 40 mm 356 g 360 n Aug 2013 549ebay.com
8.
 
Canon G15 107 mm 76 mm 40 mm 352 g 350 n Sep 2012 499ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 1100D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 449ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX20 123 mm 88 mm 87 mm 600 g .. n Aug 2009 399ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 500D 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 520 g 400 n Mar 2009 799ebay.com
12.
 
Canon SX10 123 mm 88 mm 87 mm 600 g .. n Sep 2008 399ebay.com
13.
 
Canon 450D 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 524 g 500 n Jan 2008 799ebay.com
14.
 
Canon 400D 127 mm 84 mm 65 mm 556 g 370 n Aug 2006 799ebay.com
15.
 
Fujifilm X10 117 mm 70 mm 57 mm 350 g 270 n Sep 2011 599ebay.com
16.
 
Olympus E-450 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 440 g 500 n Mar 2009 499ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic G2 124 mm 84 mm 74 mm 428 g 360 n Mar 2010 599ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 1000D features an APS-C sensor and the Canon G12 a 1/1.7-inch sensor. The sensor area in the G12 is 87 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 4.6. The sensor in the 1000D has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the G12 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Technology-wise, the G12 uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 4) than the 1000D (DIGIC 3), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Canon 1000D and Canon G12 sensor measures

With 10.1MP, the 1000D offers a slightly higher resolution than the G12 (10MP), but the 1000D nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.71μm versus 2.07μm for the G12) due to its larger sensor. However, the G12 is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 3 months) than the 1000D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.

The Canon EOS 1000D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 800, which can be extended to ISO 100-1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon PowerShot G12 are ISO 80 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-12800.

In terms of underlying technology, the 1000D is build around a CMOS sensor, while the G12 uses a CCD imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

1000D versus G12 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under review, the 1000D provides substantially higher image quality than the G12, with an overall score that is 15 points higher. This advantage is based on 1.6 bits higher color depth, 0.3 EV of lower dynamic range, and 2.2 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon 1000D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.010.971962
2.
 
Canon G12 1/1.7 10.0 3648 2736720/24p20.411.216147
3.
 
Canon 2000D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.611.9100971
4.
 
Canon 4000D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.469563
5.
 
Canon 1300D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.778166
6.
 
Canon 1200D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
7.
 
Canon G16 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/60p21.011.723054
8.
 
Canon G15 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/24p19.911.516546
9.
 
Canon 1100D APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
10.
 
Canon SX20 1/2.3 12.0 4000 3000720/30p19.210.522537
11.
 
Canon 500D APS-C 15.1 4752 31681080/20p21.711.566363
12.
 
Canon SX10 1/2.3 10.0 3648 2736480/30p19.010.314435
13.
 
Canon 450D APS-C 12.2 4272 2848none21.910.869261
14.
 
Canon 400D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.066462
15.
 
Fujifilm X10 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/30p20.511.324550
16.
 
Olympus E-450 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.510.551256
17.
 
Panasonic G2 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000720/30p21.210.349353
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The G12 indeed provides for movie recording, while the 1000D does not. The highest resolution format that the G12 can use is 720/24p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The 1000D and the G12 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon 1000D, the Canon G12, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon 1000Doptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon G12optical n2.8 / 461 swivel n 1/4000s 1.1/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon 2000Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon 4000Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 1300Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon 1200Doptical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon G16optical n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 2.2/s Y Y
8.
 
Canon G15optical n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 2.1/s Y Y
9.
 
Canon 1100Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon SX20202 n2.5 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 0.7/s Y Y
11.
 
Canon 500Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.4/s Y n
12.
 
Canon SX10202 n2.5 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 0.7/s Y Y
13.
 
Canon 450Doptical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
14.
 
Canon 400Doptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
15.
 
Fujifilm X10optical n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
16.
 
Olympus E-450optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
17.
 
Panasonic G21440 n3.0 / 460 swivel Y 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

The 1000D writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the G12 uses SDXC cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 1000D and Canon PowerShot G12 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon 1000DY- / ----2.0---
2.
 
Canon G12Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon 2000DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon 4000DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon 1300DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
6.
 
Canon 1200DYmono / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon G16Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
8.
 
Canon G15Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon 1100DYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Canon SX20Ystereo / mono--YES2.0---
11.
 
Canon 500DYmono / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Canon SX10Ystereo / mono---2.0---
13.
 
Canon 450DY- / ---mini2.0---
14.
 
Canon 400DY- / ----2.0---
15.
 
Fujifilm X10Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
16.
 
Olympus E-450Y- / ----2.0---
17.
 
Panasonic G2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
padding

Both the 1000D and the G12 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 1000D was replaced by the Canon 1100D, while the G12 was followed by the Canon G15. Further information on the features and operation of the 1000D and G12 can be found, respectively, in the Canon 1000D Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon G12 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Canon 1000D better than the Canon G12 or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.


Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 1000D:

  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (15 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • Richer colors: Generates images with noticeably better colors (1.6 bits more color depth).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (2.2 stops ISO advantage).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3 vs 1.1 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (500 versus 370) on a single battery charge.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in June 2008).


Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot G12:

  • Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 4 vs DIGIC 3).
  • Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 720/24p video.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (2.8" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (461k vs 230k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the 1000D requires a separate lens.
  • More compact: Is smaller (112x76mm vs 126x98mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the 1000D).
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years and 3 months of technical progress since the 1000D launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the G12 emerges as the winner of the match-up (10 : 7 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

1000D 07:10 G12

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 1000D and the Canon G12 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Travel-Zoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 1000D or the G12 perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 1000D..82/100..+ +3.5/54.5/5 Jun 2008 449ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G124/5+..73/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 2000D3/5o3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 4000D2.5/5o3/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon 1300D4/5o4/573/1004/54/5 Mar 2016 449ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 1200D3/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 449ebay.com
7.
 
Canon G164/5+....4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 549ebay.com
8.
 
Canon G154/5+..76/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 499ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 1100D..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 449ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX20..+ +..73/100..4/5 Aug 2009 399ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 500D..+ +..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2009 799ebay.com
12.
 
Canon SX10..+ +......4/5 Sep 2008 399ebay.com
13.
 
Canon 450D..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 799ebay.com
14.
 
Canon 400D..+ +..+ +o4/5 Aug 2006 799ebay.com
15.
 
Fujifilm X10......76/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2011 599ebay.com
16.
 
Olympus E-450........4/54/5 Mar 2009 499ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic G2......72/1004/54.5/5 Mar 2010 599ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Canon 1000D vs Canon G12

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon 1000D Canon G12
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses 28-140mm f/2.8-4.5
    Launch Date June 2008 September 2010
    Launch Price USD 449 USD 499
    Sensor Specs Canon 1000D Canon G12
    Sensor Technology CMOS CCD
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor 1/1.7" Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.2 x 14.8 mm 7.6 x 5.7 mm
    Sensor Area 328.56 mm2 43.32 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.7 mm 9.5 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 4.6x
    Sensor Resolution 10.1 Megapixels 10 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 3888 x 2592 pixels 3648 x 2736 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.71 μm 2.07 μm
    Pixel Density 3.07 MP/cm2 23.04 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video 720/24p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 800 ISO 80 - 3,200 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 1,600 ISO 80 - 12,800 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 3 DIGIC 4
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 62 47
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22 20.4
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 10.9 11.2
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 719 161
    Screen Specs Canon 1000D Canon G12
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.51x
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.5inch 2.8inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 461k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Swivel screen
    Shooting Specs Canon 1000D Canon G12
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 1.1 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDHC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Canon 1000D Canon G12
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Canon 1000D Canon G12
    Battery Type Canon LP-E5 Canon NB-7L
    Battery Life (CIPA)500 shots per charge370 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 126 x 98 x 65 mm
    (5.0 x 3.9 x 2.6 in)
    112 x 76 x 48 mm
    (4.4 x 3.0 x 1.9 in)
    Camera Weight 502 g (17.7 oz) 401 g (14.1 oz)
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