Canon PowerShot G

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Front view of PowerShot G3
Front view of PowerShot G3

The Canon PowerShot G is a series of digital cameras released by Canon. The G series cameras are Canon's flagship models aimed at prosumer photography enthusiasts desiring more flexibility than a point-and-shoot without the bulk of a dSLR.

The G series offers features such as a hot shoe for an external Canon EX flashgun, the use of a lithium ion battery, a flip-out-and-twist LCD, RAW image format capture, a lens with a wider maximum aperture, remote capture, and faster electronics. However, with the release of the G7, RAW image support, remote capture, and a flip-and-twist LCD have been removed; RAW support was restored in the G9.

There are seven models in the series, the latest being the G9 in 2007.

Contents

[edit] Main specifications

# Megapixels Maximum resolution Optical Zoom (35mm equivalent) Maximum Aperture Range LCD Announced Notes Image
G1 3.3 2048 x 1536 3x (34-102mm) F2.0-F2.5 1.8" vari-angle September 2000 First member of the Powershot G series.
G2 4 2272 x 1704 August 2001
G3 4 2272 x 1704 4x (35-140mm) F2.0-F3.0 September 2002 Introduction of DiG!C processor. Introduction of internal neutral density filter.
G5 5 2592 x 1944 June 2003
G6 7.1 3072 x 2304 2.0" vari-angle August 2004
G7 10 3648 x 2736 6x (35-210mm) F2.8-F4.8 2.5" fixed September 2006 Introduction of DiG!C III processor. Introduction of a new lens brought a 1cm macro mode and lens shift optical image stabilisation. Maximum sensitivity of ISO 3200. Face detection auto focus. The only G series camera to lack RAW mode capture. No Compact Flash support.
G9 12.1 4000 x 3000 3.0" fixed. August 2007 Similar to the G7. Most notable changes were reintroduction of RAW image format capture, a better LCD, and a new sensor.

[edit] G1 to G6

Common features across the early G series were:

  • A fast lens (minimum F number of 2.0).
  • A flip out and twist LCD, along with a smaller status LCD on the top of the camera.
  • RAW image format capture.
  • 1/1.8" CCD sensor.
  • Manual selection of aperture and shutter priority.
  • Custom white balance.
  • Built in flash.
  • Hot-shoe for external flash.
  • USB connectivity.
  • A Compact Flash card slot.
  • Availability of optional wide and teleconverter lenses.
  • Canon’s proprietary EOS shooting modes, allowing the photographer to select different exposure settings for different environments.
  • Included infrared remote control.
  • In-built neutral density filter from the G3 onwards.
  • Lithium ion battery.

[edit] G7 to G9

The G7 marked a major change in the G series. Prior to the G7 a fast lens, RAW image format capture, and a tilt-and-swivel LCD were all considered hallmark features of a G series camera. Some of the major changes included:

  • Introduction of a lens with a minimum F number of 2.8, up from 2.0 in other G series cameras. Although slower, this lens introduced other improvements such as optical image stabilisation, a higher zoom range (6x), and a macro mode that can focus as close as 1cm. The lens can also retract completely into the camera.
  • Change to a fixed LCD rather than a tilt-and-swivel model. The fixed LCD was larger (2.5" versus 2.0" on the G6) and increased the number of pixels by 75%.
  • RAW image format removed in G7, restored in G9.
  • No infrared remote control.
  • Change from Compact Flash to SDHC card storage.
  • Change to a slimmer battery (sourced from the Canon EOS 350D/400D DSLRs and camcorders) capable of fewer shots per charge.
  • Black, mostly metal, body.

Many of the changes made allowed the G7 to be significantly slimmer than previous G series cameras (e.g., the thickness of the G7 is 4.25cm while the G6 is 7.3cm), making it more portable.

The G9 reintroduced RAW image format capture support. Other changes included an improved LCD (larger, higher resolution), and a change in sensor size to 1/1.7".

[edit] Reasons for the exclusion of PowerShot G4

Canon, based in Japan, omitted the number 4 from the range due to cultural superstition.

"The word "four" is read as "si" in Chinese Mandarin and "shi" in Japanese, a close homonym for the word for death in both languages and in the Cantonese dialect spoken in Hong Kong." [1]

Amateur Photographer magazine also supported this:

"the truth behind the leap from 3 to 5 is one based on cultural superstition — in Japan, the number 4 is considered unlucky. This is because the pronunciation of 4 — “shi” — is the same pronunciation as death. This is the reason why the EOS range jumps from the EOS 3 to EOS 5, and why the latest IXUS digital compacts bucks the trend of the IXUS v2 and IXUS v3 models by becoming the IXUS 400. Indeed, to find a Canon camera with a model number 4 you have to look back as far as the 1950s to the Canon IV."

[edit] Accessories

The Powershot G series can accept a number of photographic accessories. Although neither the camera body nor the lens is threaded for direct attachment, filters and other threaded lens accessories can be used with an adapter tube. Adapter tubes are available from Canon or third party suppliers. Most adapter tubes have 58mm filter threads. In addition to standard filters and close-up lenses, the adapter tube can be used to attach wide angle or telephoto converter lenses to the Powershot G series.

Powershot G series cameras have a standard threaded socket for mounting to a monopod or tripod. This can also be used for attaching the camera to various brackets or adapters.

With the hot-shoe for external flash, the Powershot G series can accept not only compatible flash units but also various connecting cords and wireless triggers. However, the Powershot G series is sensitive to the voltage produced by certain flash units, particularly older designs. Canon recommends that the maximum trigger voltage be less than 6 volts for any flash or accessory attached to the hot-shoe.

Flash compatibility is somewhat of an issue with the Powershot G series. Canon EX flashes are compatible but all EX features may not necessarily be usable. In particular, when the Powershot G is in manual exposure mode, the external flash is also in manual mode; that is, ETTL flash control is not operable.

The very compact design of the G7 and G9 has resulted in the creation of a number of ergonometric accessories by third party designers. Some examples include a grip, thumb rest, hot shoe cover and mechanical cable release.

[edit] Design Flaw

[edit] G3 to G5

The G3 and G5's viewfinder is the standard 'optical tunnel' type. Big negative point is that the lens barrel actually obstructs the bottom left corner of the view.

[edit] G7 to G9

Users of the camera have been alerted to a serious design flaw in this camera allowing dust to collect inside the internal mechanism. Plastic and glass materials moving in the mechanism create a tiny static electrical charge, and the lens unit draws in unfiltered air (which is invariably contaminated with dust and other undesirable particles). The lens extends as the camera is turned on, and as the lens retracts, the air is forced out of the collapsing lens tower. This leaves the dust statically trapped inside. As the air moves past the optics, it also helps create a static charge. Discussion of this problem can be found at the "Canon PowerShot G9" group at www.flickr.com.

[edit] See Also

[edit] External links

Canon PowerShot G7
Canon PowerShot G7