G12 vs SX30

What's likely to be the biggest difference between the G12 and SX30 ... besides the zoom? I'm coming from using a G6 and have been going back and forth between a G11 (or G12, now) or stepping up to a DSLR. I love the G6 but have always wished it had a little better low-light performance and bigger zoom (though 35X is probably overkill).

Does the SX30 fit in that gap? It's always seemed to me as though the G-series cameras are held in higher regard ... just a notch below a DSLR ... while a camera like the SX20 would fall in below that.

Is there a difference in sensors or low-light performance that would make one better than the other?

Thanks in advance!
--Jason

From what I know of the specs of the two, the G12 would be easier to carry and would have better low light performance due to a substantially larger sensor and lower MP count.

The G12 would provide better low light performance, but not give you the extended zoom. If you are not brand loyal, there is also the new Nikon P7000 that looks like a clone of the G11/G12, but without the swivel LCD, and it has a 28-200mm equiv lens. Some folks have been suggesting they are going for the Nikon because they don't like the swivel LCD, and they do want a longer zoom reach. There are no reviews on the G12 or P7000 yet, so it's just speculation on which one will have the best image quality. I'm not interested in the video capabilities of either one, but some folks believe the P7000 would be better in that department due to optical zooming while shooting video. Here's a chart from CNET that lays out who's got what;

http://news.cnet.com …17938_105-20016244-1.html

Dennis

Edit: I have a G11, and I'm not interested in the G12.

I've looked at the P7000, but it lacks the articulated LCD as you mentioned. And that's the one feature I don't think I can do without -- at least, very easily. It's also why I'm having a hard time in the DSLR department ... not many offer the articulated LCD.

The SX20 doesn''t have Raw. Don't know if that's important to you though.

tripod76 wrote in post #10911223
I've looked at the P7000, but it lacks the articulated LCD as you mentioned. And that's the one feature I don't think I can do without -- at least, very easily. It's also why I'm having a hard time in the DSLR department ... not many offer the articulated LCD.

Take a look at the new 60D. It has a great articulating screen.

The G12 also has a larger sensor 1/1.7 vs the 1/2.3 in the SX30