Magic Lantern Guides®: Canon PowerShot G12 Paperback – June 14, 2011

The guide was very well written with plenty of illustrations and examples in full color. It basically describes each camera function and when or how to use each mode or button. It also offers tips or hints. The guide is more detailed than the PDF guide that came with the camera. It is also easier to read than the PDF guide since the text is printed in black and red ink. In addition, all camera symbols are high-lighted in red ink. The small paper back size of the guide makes it easy to carry for reference if required. Overall, a great guide.(Page 25 of the guide explains the function of the front control dial that one reviewer said was lacking information in the guide.)

Knowing that Canon and Nikon don't print their own user guides any more, I got this book with the G12 because it was cheaper than the competition. At first, I was dismayed that the book doesn't say anything about one of the most obvious controls on the camera-the front dial. The parts-ID photos in the book don't even recognize it as a control. I had to read the G12 PDF to figure out what to call it. So I printed out two chapters of the PDF and went to work learning the menus, and soon found that I couldn't get far with the PDF alone. It was probably written by engineers. The Magic Lantern Guide is accurate, clear, and organized in a way that makes it much easier to master the operation of the camera. So I would give it 5 stars if it hadn't simply omitted discussion of some items, but it's worth a solid 4 stars anyway.

The manuals provided by Cannon focus on mechanics, not on when/how/why you use different features. I actually learned a lot about digital cameras in general by studying this one for my g12. My wife has the s-95 and many of the same features are available, although accessed differently. Well worth the purchase - although you do have to take the time to sit down and study and practice.

Perfect campanion for my new(used) Canon G12. Book was like new. Good info for using all the features and photo examples of different settings. Would buy again. Great seller, too.

IMO the best book on the G12. Simple, concise, well-organized. It helped me get to know a camera I've had a couple of years, but seldom use. Great camera. Great book.

I had to use a magnifier to read some of the text that describe camera icons.I had to use the on-line manual to decipher what was in the text.

This book seems fairly concise however I have had to look up a few things on line. Perhaps next issue could include lcd displays that are not part of the menu, like error messages or the numbers that show up without notice

Since the Canan PowerShot G12 Camera does not come with a printed user guide I purchased the Magic Lantern Guide for the camera. There is a Canon user manual for the camera on the included CD but that is hard to carry around. I called Canon USA to inquire if a printed manual was available for purchase from Canon and was told no. I had Canon check to see if the new 5D Mark III came with a printed manual and again was told no. So, perhaps Canon has done away with one more of their good service items. Too bad but the Magic Lantern Guide will work just fine for most individuals.