Canon S100 vs G12 - which one to buy?


P

poh6702

Senior Member
Started my diving jouney, would like to buy a set of simple underwater camera setup, I am considering these 2 models, I believe I won't go wrong with either one of them, would like to hear some opinions before I buy:

1. The camear+casing cost for both cameras are about the same, therefore price is not the main consideration.
2. My heart goes for the Canon G12 setup, because it is a very popular model used by divers (proven).
3. However, the spec of S100 seems better than the G12 and it is smaller, on the other hand the battery of G12 last longer.
4. CCD vs CMOS sensor.
5. On land I am using DSLR, pluse Panasonic LX5 and Sony WX1, underwater performance will be the main consideration for this purchase.

Thanks in advance for your help, my heart is set to buy one this weekend, although my next diving trip (Advance Diving course) will be in end August.
 

poh6702 said:
Started my diving jouney, would like to buy a set of simple underwater camera setup, I am considering these 2 models, I believe I won't go wrong with either one of them, would like to hear some opinions before I buy:

1. The camear+casing cost for both cameras are about the same, therefore price is not the main consideration.
2. My heart goes for the Canon G12 setup, because it is a very popular model used by divers (proven).
3. However, the spec of S100 seems better than the G12 and it is smaller, on the other hand the battery of G12 last longer.
4. CCD vs CMOS sensor.
5. On land I am using DSLR, pluse Panasonic LX5 and Sony WX1, underwater performance will be the main consideration for this purchase.

Thanks in advance for your help, my heart is set to buy one this weekend, although my next diving trip (Advance Diving course) will be in end August.
Click to expand...


As to which camera is 'better'... I'll leave you to find out yourself in the Canon section in the forum.

Since you said the cost of both setup is about the same... I believe that you are talking about using Canon's OEM Underwater Housing... now, be warned... the OEM housing for G12 has a long history of problem since G11 onwards. At a local Scuba Diving forum... alot of people complaint flooding and very serious fogging/misting... not the usual cause by cold and warm kind of fogging. I've seen it myself on 2 occasion in Indonesia and recently in Philippines. Even the Admin/Moderator of that diving forum 'drown' his G12 twice.... :bsmilie: Therefore I recommend 3rd party casing/housig... which sadly meant the price difference will be alot greater.

Between the 2 Camera... my Personal choice would be S100.. mainly for its smaller form factor and full HD Video. Also... a Ikelite Housing for the S100 is only around $150-200 more expensive than Canon's OEM casing.... while the Ikelite Housing for the G12 is closer to a difference of $500.

Regarding battery life... the G12 would be much better... but 3rd party batteries are affordable and with a towel to dry the casing before changing battery... don't see why it will be a problem with using S100.

CMOS vs CCD is also not an issue with current technology.... the days of noisy CMOS sensors are truly over... since most, if not all, DSLR uses CMOS and not CCD and has proven how good the IQ could get.

If this is your 1st try at underwater photography... do take note that it isn't going to be the same as on land. The lighting condition will be your biggest shock... and your camera in-built flash would barely be enough for anything beyond close-up shots. In deep water, this problem would be worst. Also... please please please be comfortable with diving before you try underwater photography... if you can't even control your buoyancy underwater... you'll end up grabbing corals and things to stable yourself.. destroying the divesite. :sweat:
 

Top up a bit on the cost of a S/100/G12 + housing for a Aluminium housing for your LX5. However, you'll need a strobe for this setup. :(
 

GRbenji said:
Top up a bit on the cost of a S/100/G12 + housing for a Aluminium housing for your LX5. However, you'll need a strobe for this setup. :(
Click to expand...


Yup... LX5 has also proven its worth.

Hahaha... but adding a Strobe and all the necessary accessories to get the setup complete.... need $750-$1250 onwards... :bsmilie:
 

I have seen a few in ebay (seller is from Singapore) selling the S100 & g12 casing for about S$260, was looking for LX5 casing and it is super expensive, that price can buy a G12 + casing (S$620 + S$260) that is the reason why I don't consider the underwater casing for the LX5. But if I can get reasonable price casing for LX5 (somewhere below S$500), that will be an good option for me.

To Diver-Hloc: thanks for your pointers, I completed my opened water diver course last week in Tioman, really wish I had a good underwater camera with me. I saw the casing sales in ebay for S$270, looks like they are third party casing. Are they good enough? Do you know where can I get the LX5 underwater casing?

Spoke to a Diver friend, he has been using G11 for his diving trips, he recommended me to get the S100, his reasons are: it is as good as the G12 and it is small and easy to handle especially for beginer like me.
 

poh6702 said:
I have seen a few in ebay (seller is from Singapore) selling the S100 & g12 casing for about S$260, was looking for LX5 casing and it is super expensive, that price can buy a G12 + casing (S$620 + S$260) that is the reason why I don't consider the underwater casing for the LX5. But if I can get reasonable price casing for LX5 (somewhere below S$500), that will be an good option for me.

To Diver-Hloc: thanks for your pointers, I completed my opened water diver course last week in Tioman, really wish I had a good underwater camera with me. I saw the casing sales in ebay for S$270, looks like they are third party casing. Are they good enough? Do you know where can I get the LX5 underwater casing?

Spoke to a Diver friend, he has been using G11 for his diving trips, he recommended me to get the S100, his reasons are: it is as good as the G12 and it is small and easy to handle especially for beginer like me.
Click to expand...


Yes... the aluminum LX5 casing is expensive... one of the reasons why we seldom recommend it. If you have just completed your OWD last week... it means you would unlikely have more than 10 open water dive. That isn't alot... but to buy or not is up to you. Since I'm have not seen those casing you saw on ebay... canot comment on what casing they are.... to get the LX5 casing... google Scubacam. Just be warn that it won't be cheap and you'll need to also get a full set of Strobe, Armso Handle and Tray... that would set you back at least another $700 sgd not including the casing. Reason... most LX5 casing is metal and don't allow you to use the camera's in-built flash like acrylic casing.

For PnS camera.... yes. A smaller and lighter setup is better. Trust me... if you kena poison into underwater photography... your gears will get heavier and bigger before long... LOL :bsmilie:

I started from a Canon Ixus 400 to a EOS 400D with 2 Strobe, 1 big divelight for nightdive and a GoPro Hero 2 for video... all attached onto the same setup. Heavy like H*ll to carry around... but worth every moment I'm using it. :bsmilie:
 

I dare not use the word underwater photography, I just want a simple P&S underwater camera to capture the dive event for memory, I basically want a simple to use P&S that can capture clear images.

Looks like S100 will be a better choice for me. But depending on which side of the bed I wake up from this weekend, it might be the G12 that I go for becuase it is proven, I have seen many good pictures taken by my friend.

Off course people will tell me, althought it is same equipment, with difference people behind the camera, results may not be the same! But then if I dont' get good picture in my next trip, at least I can't blame the equipment and thinking of buying a better gears again:bsmilie:.
 



Ikelite has comes out with a housing for LX5. Think is around S$800. :)
 

You want good UW photos, you'll have to invest in strobe(s). Otherwise your photos will likely be bluish/greenish especially for wide angle shots. Macro shots may have motion blur due to insufficient light at depth thus the need for longer shutter.
 

poh6702 said:
I found this singapore ebay seller of the G12 UW casing at S$270, this shop is also selling the G12 at S$616:

http://www.ebay.com.sg/itm/330749381842?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Therefore the whole package cost will be about S$890. As compare to the price of case alone for LX5.

I may have to add a strobe light later when I am more experience.
Click to expand...


Personally speaking.... since the G12 is already an 'outdated' Powershot series camera... I would buy a 2nd hand G12 instead of a new one. Whatever I'll save could go back into my casing. Btw, that eBay ads is selling G12's OEM Casing... the same casing alot of divers are complaining about.... the same casing that Fogged and Misted all too often.

Regarding Strobe... or better still, Strobes... are totally necessary if you want your U/W photo to look more than just plain snap shots taken with a 90s handphone. :bsmilie:
 

I didn't mentioned earlier that during my last OWC, I was using this simple setup: Sony W350 + Seashell universal casing:

P1000715.jpg


This is me:

DSC002051.jpg


And this is one of the photos:

DSC00275.JPG


For this universal casing, I can't do any camera setting at all in the water, only on-off and shutter button, therefore must get a proper setup.
 

poh6702 said:
I didn't mentioned earlier that during my last OWC, I was using this simple setup: Sony W350 + Seashell universal casing:

For this universal casing, I can't do any camera setting at all in the water, only on-off and shutter button, therefore must get a proper setup.
Click to expand...


Which is why the casing is sold relatively cheap.... I'll need 2 Seashells Casing just to buy one Ikelite Casing for S100. :bsmilie:

Like I said... suggest you go for S100 + Ikelite housing.... the housing should cost you $450++... and S100 should be possible to get at $600 maybe abit more.... another way... grab a 2nd Hand set of a older model.

Google - ScubaSG... and check out the forums buy/sell page... IIRC... someone is selling a G12 set.
 

Hi there POH!

Have you gotten your S100 housing? I have a second hand (only 2 mths old) ikelite housing to sell, in good condition.
Looking to clear by next week coz am heading overseas.

Please contact me at xxxxxxxx

Angie :)



Note from Moderator - This is not VR-Zone or HW Zone... you got something you want to offer... PM the TS directly :nono:
 

Last edited:
Hi aqlim,

I bought a Canon G12 today, and will be meeting up with the underwater housing seller from ebay tomorrow. I decided on the g12 because I felt that it has more function then the S100.
 

Hi Poh!

Am also looking for the G12 casing, can you pass me contact for the housing pls? thanks.
 

Hi All,

I finally got the Canon G12 and Underwater casing, will use it in September durinng my Advance Opened water Diver course.
 

poh6702 said:
Hi All,

I finally got the Canon G12 and Underwater casing, will use it in September durinng my Advance Opened water Diver course.
Click to expand...

is the UW brand canon? i am thinking of getting it too
u doing open water with the dive company?
i will be doing with them on the 1st week of aug... for my advance
hehe

thinking of getting g12 for the dive...
currently using fuji F200... l
 

Last edited:
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