Canon PowerShot G12 Announced

The new Canon PowerShot G12 was announced today. The G12 is the latest device in what Canon call the award-winning PowerShot G-series.

Features of the new camera include the Canon HS system, the ability to capture video in HD at 720p and a new Hybrid IS system.

The Canon HS System allows images to be captured in low light environments. A 10.0 megapixel CCD sensor is used along with a DIGIC 4 processor. The CCD sensor has a high sensitivity allowing for the low light shots to be captured.

The inclusion of the HS System allows shooting at higher ISOs with excellent image quality – enabling users to capture exceptional images in all conditions. This extended ISO range allows users to shoot darker scenes without engaging the flash or using a tripod – capturing correctly-exposed images using only the available light. In situations when use of the flash is necessary, a higher ISO will enable users to extend its effective range and illuminate the subject more effectively. Higher ISOs also enable users to utilise faster shutter speeds – freezing motion to capture moving subjects with a reduced risk of blur.

The PowerShot G12 features a premium 28mm wide-angle 5x optical zoom lens, allowing users to capture sweeping landscapes and get closer to distant subjects during shooting. Benefiting from Canon’s extensive heritage in lens design, the lens has been developed using the same processes and quality standards employed to manufacture Canon’s range of EF lenses, ensuring the capture of sharp, detailed shots while still having a compact size so the lens can retract completely into the camera body when not in use.

The Canon Hybrid IS technology is used to increase the effectiveness of the optical image stabilizer when specifically capturing macro shots. When capturing an subject as close as 1cm, the stabilizer kicks in and counteracts any movement from the camera.

On the back of the Canon PowerShot G12 is a 2.8 inch high-res Vari-Angle PureColor II VA LCD screen. Quite a mouth full for essentially what is just a screen.

Canon PowerShot G12 Features

HS System
High-sensitivity 10 MP CCD
28mm wide, 5x zoom lens, Hybrid IS
7.0 cm (2.8″) Vari-Angle LCD, Electronic Level, OVF
Front Dial, Full Manual & RAW
HD movies, HDMI
High Dynamic Range mode
Smart Auto
Multi-Aspect Shooting
Extensive accessory system

The G12 is expected to launch early in October with a price tag of $499.