Thanks to its easy operation and adroit balance of strong performance, helpful hardware, and fun shooting modes, the 10-megapixel Canon PowerShot G12 ($500 as of January 3, 2011) earned our top pick in a recent roundup of five advanced point-and-shoot cameras. The G12 received the best overall scores in our image-quality tests–a result that merely scratches the surface of the camera’s appeal.

The G12 turned in the best scores of the bunch in PCWorld Labs’ subjective tests for image and video quality, with especially impressive marks for exposure quality, color accuracy, and video quality. It was judged superior in all three of those categories, as well as in overall imaging and in video. The camera’s battery life is good; according to the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA), which conducts standardized battery testing for all major cameras, the G12 captured 370 shots per charge with its LCD turned on.

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Camera · Camera & Imaging Products Association · Canon PowerShot · Image quality · Liquid crystal display · Photography · Pixel · Point-and-shoot camera

Far out Photographic explains why he likes the Canon G11:
First is the overall image quality, especially up to ISO 800. This makes this particular camera a great backup to an SLR and an all-around do-it-all point-and shoot. Forget about no HD video. You’re not going to shoot the next epic thriller on any point-and-shoot on HD and your parents or grandparents aren’t going to care if Bobby is jumping out of the screen or not.

The second reason I like this camera is it’s feel. It’s solid and heavy. The ergonomics are great. All the necessary controls are right there, without needing to go to the menu, especially the exposure compensation wheel on the top left of the body.

Camera · Canon · Exposure compensation · Film speed · High-definition video · Image quality · Image stabilization · Point-and-shoot camera