G12 aperture settings

I don't have a G12 yet but am considering one when my DSLR stuff sells. I was looking at the G12 manual online tonight and saw that in manual mode you can only adjust the aperture from 2.8 - 8.0. Is that the case with all P&S cameras? I can go from 2.8 - 32 on my DSLR. Or maybe it's measured differently on the P&S's.

I have an S95 (about the same camera as the G12 in a smaller body) and those are the settings I have. When NOT zoomed out. 2.8 to 8.0. Even when zoomed all the way out....I only have 4.9 to 8.0 This is in AV mode. The lenses are not as complex.

yep thats the case with most point and shoot cameras. you are already getting great dof at f8 due to the tiny sensor.

imjason wrote in post #14153382
yep thats the case with most point and shoot cameras. you are already getting great dof at f8 due to the tiny sensor.

Ok thanks. And speaking of sensors.... my partner has a SD1200IS that is 10 megapixels. Is it the same sensor in the G12? Reason I ask is that I don't find the images from the SD1200IS very flattering.

It's not the megapixel but the physical size of the sensor he is speaking of.

The G12 probably has a slightly bigger sensor than the SD1200IS. Not much.

The only way to get a bigger sensor is the GX-1 or an APS-C like a Rebel or 60D, 7D

nate42nd wrote in post #14156570
It's not the megapixel but the physical size of the sensor he is speaking of.

The G12 probably has a slightly bigger sensor than the SD1200IS. Not much.

The only way to get a bigger sensor is the GX-1 or an APS-C like a Rebel or 60D, 7D

The G12 sensor is 1/1.7" while the SD1200 is 1/2.3", so the G12 image sensor is about 35% larger. The G12 can also record native RAW images for better image processing on a real computer system.


Dennis

denncald wrote in post #14157049
The G12 sensor is 1/1.7" while the SD1200 is 1/2.3", so the G12 image sensor is about 35% larger. The G12 can also record native RAW images for better image processing on a real computer system.


Dennis

Very true. Good point. My S95 has the same sensor as the G12 and shoots raw. Good point. I wanted to point out the size of sensors has some impact on images. Megapixel count does too.....but it starts to get more complicated. RAW capability is one thing you need if you want the best image quality more of the time.

Smaller sensors will suffer the effects of diffraction earlier (i.e. at larger apertures) than larger sensors, which is why they will rarely allow aperture values smaller than f/8. Some compacts like the G12 have a built-in ND filter which is much preferable option (in terms of IQ) for slowing down the shutter speed than providing a smaller aperture setting. The smaller sensor and shorter focal lengths already provide a large depth-of-field without needing to use smaller apertures.