Canon G12 10 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.8 Inch Vari-Angle LCD

I was looking for an alternative to my Canon DSLR for an upcoming trip to Europe: I don't want to lug a hefty camera and lens.... So I had certain key criteria, in no particular order: (1) size (but not too small)and weight, (2) picture quality, (3) ergonomics, (4) folding lcd screen, (5) viewfinder, and (6)ability to use in semi-automatic modes, but fully usable as a point and click.One at a time...the weight of the g12 is fine (quite light), and the size / ergonomics are excellent. It is easy to hold, the grips and controls are all logically placed. My wife definitely likes the size and feel of this camera. So far I've taken only a limited number of pictures, but all seem clear and sharp with crisp colors. I haven't explored all the shooting options yet, so it will take awhile before I'm completely comfortable with its flexibility. The folding lcd screen is critically important to me--I take closeup photos for eBay and this camera will be often mounted on a tripod extension arm (inside a "light-box"). Positioning the lcd screen so I don't need to do contortions is key(I'm replacing a beloved G1 camera that served me for many years). The viewfinder, although not perfect is also important when taking photos in full sun (however, the lcd screen does seem quite bright).The only negative so far is the documentation. Most features are well explained, but some like DR Correction and ISO Rate of Change are not described very well at all. I don't mind the pdf format since I can read the manual on my ipad. Also the documentation could use some examples e.g., provide a few useful camera settings and combinations when using C1 or C2. I can probably find this by searching on-line, but more of a tutorial approach would be appreciated.Update (Oct 1, 2012): I've returned after 2 weeks on vacation in Europe. The camera performed extremely well. Many of the outdoor shots were spectacular -- crisp image, vivid colors, etc. I took many pictures of poorly lit interiors where flash was not allowed. Using the low light setting (the one with the candle icon), I was able to take decent pictures with good color and acceptable sharpness. Yes, some of the pictures were a little grainy, but given the ease of use, these pictures were more than acceptable. I highly recommend this camera. Seeing the number of tourists toting heavy DSLRs around their necks confirmed this choice as an excellent travel camera. My DSLR is still my choice when taking holiday / family pictures and when traveling by car, but this camera will come along....

This is the nicest camera I have ever owned. I am an casual photographer with enough background to know where to select aperture or shutter priority, yadda yadda. I do not like exchangeable lenses for three (significant) reasons: (1) changing a lens lets dust into the sensor ... and this will happen, (2) changing lenses is time consuming and causes you to miss shots and annoy subjects, and (3) extra lenses usually don't give you any capabilities that you can't get with editing. On the last point, note that this camera even has an internal 'fish-eye' effect. You can get 'multiplier' lenses that attach to this camera, but they are a gimmick and best ignored. For what I do, I find the 5x zoom is fine; any more would probably create image stabilization problems. Canon has the best image stabilization of any of the major camera brands -- it just works. It is fun to play around with the camera by shaking it and taking a picture to see if you can 'defeat' the stabilization. It's amazing how often it corrects for even the nastiest of shaking.The pictures are first rate; color balance, resolution, exposure all perfect 98% of the time. Low light sensitivity is great, and image stabilization gives you great evening shots. The G12 uses big chunky dials to select functions (as opposed to finicky touchscreens on many point and shoot cams). The case seems to be metal, with a rough surface, and shape that makes the camera very easy to hold. The vari-angle LCD is very useful (I think Canon made a mistake in not carrying this capability over to their upgrade, the G15)... I use it for crowd shots, walking, etc. The macro is impressive, allowing me to get pictures less than an inch away from a subject.Overall, the build feels very solid; much more so that other P&S cameras. Other reviews seem to indicate that reliability is good.The flash is adequate, but I purchased an inexpensive Bower SFD728C TTL Autofocus Flash for Canon E-TTL II which links into the G12's electronics. It delivers about 4x the light, and allows bounces, which is really useful even if you are not a professional. I don't use it all the time (it's as big as the G12) but comes in handy for party shots, and other indoor shooting. One reviewer stated that this flash is not controllable from the Canon menues; but in the case of the G12, the flash intensity is directly controllable from the G12 menues, so the reviewer may just have missed this.Update 12-16-2012: I have had a month to learn virtually all of the settings on the G12 and also get a feel for their utility in actual use. I am impressed with how cleverly Canon's engineers have thought through the UI and ergonomics of the G12. This is a digital camera, so f-stop, exposure, ISO, etc. don't map precisely into their equivalents on a film camera. But Canon provides controls for these in a format that makes the G12 feel very natural. All of the buttons and dials are logically placed, and useful; the menu system gets things done with a minimum of clicking and searching. I've had a chance to look at the G15 and G1X since I purchased this, and even though these beat the G12 in pixels, they are not as logical in their UI and ergonomics. I think this sadly may be because Canon listened to reviewers and customers - particularly those who wanted a more video oriented camera. The loss of the articulating screen on the G15 substantially lowers utility (IMHO), and the larger sensor on the G1X makes the lens and cover a bit clumsier. The latter two are still great cameras, but for my taste, the less expensive G12 beats them both.