It's popular for a reason.That just makes it more popular at the moment, not necessarily the best
Sure there, it is lighter for all day carrying in the field.
Folks have to get past the ammo part. If everyone had maintained shooting 16s way back when, it would have the ammo offerings instead of the 12. A 16 can be used to hunt anything a 12 can, can be used for HD, is lighter to carry, and has more panache..............
If all I did was hunt birds, I'd have a 16 and a 28 - one for big birds and one for little birds and I wouldn't feel under or over gunned at all.