An ignorant question

OK, I admit it.... I regularly read the big camera threads here. I understand the difference between a full frame and a crop when it comes to DSLRs. What I don't understand is how a G12 fits into this question. I realize the G12 has a small sensor and based on the threads in the G-series forum, I sort of understand some of the benefits and limitations.

What I don't understand is where the G 12 stands on the 35mm standard. I did try to google it but I doubt I understand how to phrase the question since nothing worth noting came up. If the G 12 is a crop... how much does it crop the image?

Any instruction would be appreciated if you can make it simple enough for someone like me to understand.

This may help:

http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Image_sensor_fo​rmat

I think the G11 and G12 have 1/1.7" sensors.

Rimmer,
Thank you. That really did explain it in a way I can understand. I had seen the 1/1.7" figure in the literature but didn't know what it meant in reference to anything.

Thanks again,

Kim

Thanks. I wanted to know this as well.

Canon lists its G12 lens this way

One way to work with this info is to calculate the mme factor for the G12.

28 / 6.1 = 4.59 factor
140 / 30.6 = 4.59 factor

Let's say you shoot a pic at mid-range zoom, and you find the EXIF data lists 17.8 focal length. Multiply by 4.59 to get 81.7 mme (~80mm 35mm equivalent)

If the camera has a smaller sensor, but a smaller lens as well but uses the whole lens, then it would be "full frame". The whole crop/full frame thing it just a DSLR thing of the digital age (maybe there are exceptions or old film camera that did otherwise, I don't know).