G12 or S95?

I am looking for a small camera that gives me excellent quality. In many occasions my DSLR is simply too bulky and cumbersome. I always shoot Raw.
Looking for something that I can can put in my pocket or belt. Requirements: Able to shoot Raw, Able to manual focus, Automatic Exposure Bracketing (option),Remote switch connection (option). Thanks for the advice.

The G12 really isn't pocket-able. Being a younger person I figured my reasonably loose fitting pants would be able to handle it, but that really isn't the case. It's big for a point and shoot. That being said, I decided on it despite the size due to the hotshoe flash mount. That is a huge plus in my book, but may not be for everyone. If the pocket size of the S95 means you will use it more, then I think that makes it a winner.

BenJohnson wrote in post #12942173
The G12 really isn't pocket-able. Being a younger person I figured my reasonably loose fitting pants would be able to handle it, but that really isn't the case. It's big for a point and shoot. That being said, I decided on it despite the size due to the hotshoe flash mount. That is a huge plus in my book, but may not be for everyone. If the pocket size of the S95 means you will use it more, then I think that makes it a winner.

Agreed. I'm sold on the G12 for remote camera work. Adding a Pocket Wizard and triggering it remotely in tight spaces is huge for some of the work I do.

The S95 is a much better leisure camera though.

What a lot of people don't realise is that it is very difficult to steadily hand hold those teenee weenee compact cameras. I personally find those tiny cameras difficult to hold steadily.

A camera with a bit of bulk like the G12 allows you to hand hold it steadily resulting thus getting less blurry pictures.

I suggest G12. I'm enthusiast of this amazing compact camera. Canon G12 will allow you to make the most of photographic genres (travel, street, reportage, portraits, urban, landscape, still life). S95 naturally is a great camera, but between the two I would not hesitate.

I'll repeat what the others have said. I compared the G12 and S95 at Best Buy, the S95 was too small for me to enjoy using. It is an outstanding camera, but too small for me.
The G12 is like having a mini SLR in your hands as far as functions go, all the same dials (but smaller), hot shoe that I can use to trigger my wireless 430ex II setup. It is solid too, feels as sturdy as Canon's consumer SLRs.
I can fit it in the pockets of my American Eagle khaki classic fit shorts easily. Just throwing out a specific pair of shorts so you can have a frame of reference. I don't wear the slim cut stuff, but I would imagine it would have a hard time fitting in there.

I bought a G12 and used it for about a week and sending it back in favor of an S95. I'm happier with the S95 because of the size compared to the G12 and the faster lens. The S95 is a little bigger than my cell phone so taking it places is incredibly easy. The image quality is simply amazing for such a small camera. Either camera is a winner but the S95 is the camera for me.mean

They are both great cameras, and I agonized for some time over the choice before ultimately getting the s95. The deciding factor for me was the pocketability, since I carry it everywhere I go. I haven't regretted it for a minute. It just boils down to personal preference and priority.

s95 is also part of the instant rebate program also going on now, too

I've been using a Nikon P7000 (G12 competitor) and find the hot-shoe eminently useful.

But its not as pocketable as the S95.


Sounds like pocketable would be the winner for you so .... S95

Both will take excellent pictures, so IQ is not an issue. The choice boils down to whether you need a pocketable camera (S95), or a camera with a hotshoe and a viewfinder (G12). I had a G9 for a long time, but found it too big to carry easily. The S95, on the other hand, is perfect for the kind of shooting I like to do with a P&S. Plus it's much easier to carry. The OP will have to determine for himself what's most important for the way he shoots.

The wife loves her S95; especially since it does raw files. If she wants a serious camera, she gets out her 7D.

My wife and I tested both at Best Buy. For us it was a no-brainer. We bought two G12s. The S95 is wonderful but we opted for the excellent and easy controls of the G12. We're DSLR users and feel right at home with the G12s.

I would say sam summed it up. Using the G12, I feel right at home coming from the SLR.

I purchased a G12 as I find it very "everything" for my needs. Control wise its very DSLR like and I really like how most controls are all exposed without having to go into the menu.

I believe the S95 is similar as you can program most of the external controls to your desired settings, but no hot shoe. I dont mind the half brick size of the G12, but my wife does = Reason to buy the S95 for her, not that I needed one

As ^, if you need the hot shoe and dont mind the extra size = G12. If your looking for a more pocketable/go in your jeans/coat camera = S95. . . . You might end up with both