Size of the G12?

I currently have a 40D with an assortment of lenses that I don't enjoy lugging around on vacations. I've been considering picking up a G12 as the "carry around" camera while on some upcoming vacations. I've toyed with the idea but haven't had any solid time with that camera in my hand. I know it's a tad larger than the s100, but wasn't sure if it felt too large to just carry around in one's pocket while walking. Does it ever feel like it's too bulky to have with you while away on vacation?

I'm a volunteer mechanical worker/train crew/newsletter editor for a local railroad museum and I mentioned to my wife I wanted something smaller than my gripped 40D and my G5 to carry around at the museum. Last week I found a G12 sitting on my desk...

The G12 is plenty small enough to carry on a daily basis and the feature set is excellent. You can probably do anything with the G12 you could do with the 40d and more (the G12 does video and has an articulated LCD screen.) The G12 will shoot RAW where the S100 does not.

The G12 is bulkier than a pocket camera, but I like the classic "rangefinder" size of the G-series compared to the smaller (but still quite powerful) S-series. I carry it on a wrist strap, and it does fit perfectly in a cargo pants pocket or a casual coat pocket.

I also REALLY like having the hot shoe for off-camera flash, the articulating display and the dual control wheels of the G12.

Disclaimer - I haven't used an S-series but I have done A LOT of casual and travel shooting with the less fully-featured but very convenient and capable SD750/IXUS75.

One quick correction to a prior post - the S100 does indeed create RAW files, as did both the S90 and S95 before it (along with manual exposure mode on all 3 models).

From Canon's S100 Specs page:

JPEG Compression Mode
Still Image: Exif 2.3 (JPEG)

RAW (CR2 (Canon Original));

Video: MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: Linear PCM (Stereo))

NOT a pocket camera but comfy around your neck where it is even handier. I'm chaperoning highbschoolers in SF right now and it just rides around my neck inside my jacket...perfect.

Hot shoe and flip screen seal the deal for me.

It will be different for everyone but for me,

DSLR/SLR/Lenses - too big and too much to lug around

S95 type P & S - very pocketable but too small for me to use although I have a compact P & S (SD1200 IS)

G12- Just right and good compromise. 28 - 140 and life is good.

I have a gripped 40D and quite a bit of gear that resides in my backpack. I tend to do a lot of hiking when on vacation, and unless there is a known amazing shot that I have to take all my gear for I'll just grab my wife's G12 and put it in a belt pouch. So much easier, especially when the kids get tired and I end up having to carry them too (not fun with a fully loaded camera backpack and a 4 year old on your shoulders).

When I was looking for a smaller camera the G11 and S90 were the two options. On paper the G11 looked like the camera for me but when I went to the store and actually handled them I preferred the S90 and have been very happy with it. The control ring is a very nice user interface and the smaller size makes it less bulky in my coat pocket.

For size comparison, click this... http://camerasize.com/​compare/#101,195

Was in the same boat. A 40D and 24-70L was my walk around rig for a long time. Good set up that I would have recommended to anyone until I spent a few really long days walking around Boston. Prior to that, it was short outings and events with the camera in my Domke F2 or out on a Black Rapid strap. The long days in Boston did me in. I decided I needed to go smaller for the daily kit; on and off public transpo and eating in restaurants looking for a place to stow it safely had me wishing the camera stayed at home, not good!. This got me thinking G12. Picked one up, had it for a month and was happy with the size, handling and IQ. Took it with me everywhere and got some good pics. Then... That freaking Fuji X10 had to come out. Exactly what I was looking for. Solid build, manual zoom, IQ, features, all there. I sold the 40D and the G12 and ordered an X10. The G12 honestly did work out well for me when I had it. I could see myself selling the 40D and keeping the G12 (still have the 1D3 and good glass). If I had to hit the G12 on anything it would be the power zoom toggle thing (not a fan) and the articulating screen, while widely regarded as a benefit, it just didn’t feel right to me. A little on the fragile feeling side. I did like it better once I put a screen protector on it though.

Anyway, I liked the G12 well enough, but it’s not the only game in town for high-end (non interchangeable lens) compacts anymore.

Thanks very much for the feedback everyone! I really appreciate the input. I was leaning very heavily toward the g12 but was still somewhat hung up on the size. I've got a week in Disneyland coming up soon with another two week trip to Florida next year, so I wanted to be absolutely certain that the g12 wasn't too bulky.

I was also considering the s100. Since I'd be doing a lot of walking around, the size was very appealing to me (but not the price). I started comparing the s100 to the s95 and managed to find a decent deal on an s95. After looking at some of the shots that people have gotten with the s95, I decided it would work out well for me. It should be here in a matter of hours and I'm looking forward to quickly getting acquainted with it.

Thanks again to everyone! (That camera size website is really cool -- bookmarked!)

Get a small belt case such as the Lowepro G-res 10, stick it on your belt, and you won't even notice it is there, yet it will always be handy for easy access.