Canon 40D vs G12

The Canon EOS 40D and the Canon PowerShot G12 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in August 2007 and September 2010. The 40D is a DSLR, while the G12 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (40D) and a 1/1.7-inch (G12) sensor. The 40D 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 40D		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 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)		ISO 80-3,200 (80 - 12,800)
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 230k dots		2.8" LCD – 461k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
6.5 shutter flaps per second		1.1 shutter flaps per second
750 shots per battery charge		370 shots per battery charge
146 x 108 x 74 mm, 822 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 40D 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.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 40D and the Canon G12. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

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 (46 percent) than the Canon 40D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 40D 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 40D 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 40D and their specifications in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the 40D gets 750 shots out of its Canon BP-511A battery, while the G12 can take 370 images on a single charge of its Canon NB-7L power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon 40D	146 mm	108 mm	74 mm	822 g	750	n	Aug 2007	1,299	ebay.com
2.		Canon G12	112 mm	76 mm	48 mm	401 g	370	n	Sep 2010	499	ebay.com
3.		Canon 10D	150 mm	107 mm	75 mm	850 g	500	n	Feb 2003	1,999	ebay.com
4.		Canon 20D	144 mm	106 mm	72 mm	770 g	700	n	Aug 2004	1,499	ebay.com
5.		Canon 30D	144 mm	106 mm	74 mm	785 g	750	n	Feb 2006	1,399	ebay.com
6.		Canon 50D	146 mm	108 mm	74 mm	822 g	800	Y	Aug 2008	1,299	ebay.com
7.		Canon 60D	145 mm	106 mm	79 mm	755 g	1100	Y	Aug 2010	1,399	ebay.com
8.		Canon G15	107 mm	76 mm	40 mm	352 g	350	n	Sep 2012	499	ebay.com
9.		Canon G16	109 mm	76 mm	40 mm	356 g	360	n	Aug 2013	549	ebay.com
10.		Canon T3	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	495 g	700	n	Feb 2011	449	ebay.com
11.		Canon XS	126 mm	98 mm	65 mm	502 g	500	n	Jun 2008	449	ebay.com
12.		Canon XSi	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	524 g	500	n	Jan 2008	799	ebay.com
13.		Canon XTi	127 mm	84 mm	65 mm	556 g	370	n	Aug 2006	799	ebay.com
14.		Fujifilm X10	117 mm	70 mm	57 mm	350 g	270	n	Sep 2011	599	ebay.com
15.		Nikon D90	132 mm	103 mm	77 mm	703 g	850	n	Aug 2008	1,299	ebay.com
16.		Olympus E-450	130 mm	91 mm	53 mm	440 g	500	n	Mar 2009	499	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic G2	124 mm	84 mm	74 mm	428 g	360	n	Mar 2010	599	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The G12 was launched at a lower price than the 40D, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better 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 40D 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 40D 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 40D (DIGIC 3), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

With 10.1MP, the 40D offers a slightly higher resolution than the G12 (10MP), but the 40D nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.73μm versus 2.07μm for the G12) due to its larger sensor. However, the G12 is a much more recent model (by 3 years) than the 40D, 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 40D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 100-3200. 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 40D 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.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under review, the 40D provides substantially higher image quality than the G12, with an overall score that is 17 points higher. This advantage is based on 1.7 bits higher color depth, 0.1 EV in additional dynamic range, and 2.1 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon 40D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.1	11.3	703	64
2.		Canon G12	1/1.7	10.0	3648	2736	720/24p	20.4	11.2	161	47
3.		Canon 10D	APS-C	6.3	3072	2048	none	21.1	10.9	571	57
4.		Canon 20D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.9	11.0	721	62
5.		Canon 30D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.5	10.8	736	59
6.		Canon 50D	APS-C	15.1	4752	3168	none	21.8	11.4	696	63
7.		Canon 60D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.2	11.5	813	66
8.		Canon G15	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/24p	19.9	11.5	165	46
9.		Canon G16	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	21.0	11.7	230	54
10.		Canon T3	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	720/30p	21.9	11.0	755	62
11.		Canon XS	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.0	10.9	719	62
12.		Canon XSi	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	none	21.9	10.8	692	61
13.		Canon XTi	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.1	11.0	664	62
14.		Fujifilm X10	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/30p	20.5	11.3	245	50
15.		Nikon D90	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	720/24p	22.7	12.5	977	73
16.		Olympus E-450	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	21.5	10.5	512	56
17.		Panasonic G2	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	720/30p	21.2	10.3	493	53

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 40D does not. The highest resolution format that the G12 can use is 720/24p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The 40D 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 table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 40D and Canon G12 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		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 40D	optical	Y	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.5/s	Y	n
2.		Canon G12	optical	n	2.8 / 461	swivel	n	1/4000s	1.1/s	Y	Y
3.		Canon 10D	optical	Y	1.8 / 118	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
4.		Canon 20D	optical	Y	1.8 / 118	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	n
5.		Canon 30D	optical	Y	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	n
6.		Canon 50D	optical	Y	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.3/s	Y	n
7.		Canon 60D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	n	1/8000s	5.3/s	Y	n
8.		Canon G15	optical	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.1/s	Y	Y
9.		Canon G16	optical	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.2/s	Y	Y
10.		Canon T3	optical	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
11.		Canon XS	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
12.		Canon XSi	optical	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5/s	Y	n
13.		Canon XTi	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
14.		Fujifilm X10	optical	n	2.8 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
15.		Nikon D90	optical	Y	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	4.5/s	Y	n
16.		Olympus E-450	optical	n	2.7 / 215	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5/s	Y	n
17.		Panasonic G2	1440	n	3.0 / 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.

One feature that is present on the 40D, but is missing on the G12 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The 40D writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the G12 uses SDXC cards.

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 40D and Canon PowerShot G12 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon 40D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Canon G12	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon 10D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
4.		Canon 20D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
5.		Canon 30D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon 50D	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Canon 60D	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Canon G15	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Canon G16	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
10.		Canon T3	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Canon XS	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Canon XSi	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Canon XTi	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Fujifilm X10	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Nikon D90	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Olympus E-450	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Panasonic G2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 40D (unlike the G12) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the 40D and the G12 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 40D was replaced by the Canon 50D, while the G12 was followed by the Canon G15. Further information on the features and operation of the 40D and G12 can be found, respectively, in the Canon 40D Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon G12 Manual.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is the Canon 40D better than the Canon G12 or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Canon EOS 40D:

• Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (17 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
• Richer colors: Generates images with noticeably better colors (1.7 bits more color depth).
• Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (2.1 stops ISO advantage).
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.8") for image review and settings control.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (6.5 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 (750 versus 370) on a single battery charge.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 2007).

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.
• 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 40D requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (112x76mm vs 146x108mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the 40D).
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Reflects 3 years of technical progress since the 40D launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the 40D comes out slightly ahead of the G12 (11 : 10 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. 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.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 40D 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 comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 40D or the G12. 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 hands-on reviews by experts 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.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon 40D	..	+ +	..	+ +	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2007	1,299	ebay.com
2.		Canon G12	4/5	+	..	73/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2010	499	ebay.com
3.		Canon 10D	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Feb 2003	1,999	ebay.com
4.		Canon 20D	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Aug 2004	1,499	ebay.com
5.		Canon 30D	..	+ +	..	+ +	o	..	Feb 2006	1,399	ebay.com
6.		Canon 50D	..	+ +	..	+ +	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2008	1,299	ebay.com
7.		Canon 60D	5/5	+	..	79/100	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2010	1,399	ebay.com
8.		Canon G15	4/5	+	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	499	ebay.com
9.		Canon G16	4/5	+	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	549	ebay.com
10.		Canon T3	..	80/100	..	69/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	449	ebay.com
11.		Canon XS	..	82/100	..	+ +	3.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2008	449	ebay.com
12.		Canon XSi	..	+ +	..	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2008	799	ebay.com
13.		Canon XTi	..	+ +	..	+ +	o	4/5	Aug 2006	799	ebay.com
14.		Fujifilm X10	..	..	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2011	599	ebay.com
15.		Nikon D90	..	+ +	..	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2008	1,299	ebay.com
16.		Olympus E-450	..	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Mar 2009	499	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic G2	..	..	..	72/100	4/5	4.5/5	Mar 2010	599	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

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