Canon PowerShot G
Encyclopedia
The Canon PowerShot
G is a series of digital camera
s released by Canon
. The G series cameras are Canon's flagship 'compact' models aimed at prosumer
photography enthusiasts desiring more flexibility than a point-and-shoot without the bulk of a digital single-lens reflex camera.
The G series offers features such as the use of a lithium-ion battery, an articulated LCD
screen (G7, G9 and G10 have a fixed panel), Raw image format
capture (all models except G7), a lens with a wider maximum aperture
than standard PowerShot models, remote capture (except G11), and faster electronics. The range also includes a hot shoe
for an external flashgun, including Canon's EX range
.
Sensor
The G7 marked a major change in the G series. Previous G series models had featured a fast lens, Raw image format
capture, and a tilt-and-swivel LCD. These were all considered hallmark features of the G series, but were removed or altered for the G7. Some of the major changes included:
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 4.25 cm while the G6 is 7.3 cm), making it more portable.
The decision to remove RAW shooting support was heavily criticized. DPReview stated that they were disappointed with the loss of RAW format, while Luminous Landscape stated that the removal of RAW meant that too many technical decisions had to be made while shooting instead of post-processing.
RAW support can be enabled on the G7 using a free firmware add-on.
The G9 was released in 2007. Among its features were restored RAW support, a larger LCD screen, and a 1/1.7" sensor rather than the 1/1.8" sensor on previous models,.
The G11, released in 2009, reintroduced the flip out and twist LCD (2.8"). It also features a lower resolution sensor than that of its predecessor, the G10, which gives it better performance at high sensitivities.
The Powershot G series can accept a number of photographic accessories. 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 58 mm 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. Starting from the G7, there is a bayonet mount on the front of the camera around the lens to directly attach lenses and accessories.
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.
used a G12 when covering the 2011 Bahraini uprising
.
Canon PowerShot
The PowerShot products are a line of consumer and prosumer grade digital cameras, launched by Canon in 1996. The PowerShot line has been successful for Canon, and is one of the best-selling digital camera lines worldwide....
G is a series of digital camera
Digital camera
A digital camera is a camera that takes video or still photographs, or both, digitally by recording images via an electronic image sensor. It is the main device used in the field of digital photography...
s released by Canon
Canon Inc.
is a Japanese multinational corporation that specialises in the manufacture of imaging and optical products, including cameras, camcorders, photocopiers, steppers and computer printers. Its headquarters are located in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan.-Origins:...
. The G series cameras are Canon's flagship 'compact' models aimed at prosumer
Prosumer
Prosumer is a portmanteau formed by contracting either the word professional or less often, producer with the word consumer. For example, a prosumer grade digital camera is a "cross" between consumer grade and professional grade...
photography enthusiasts desiring more flexibility than a point-and-shoot without the bulk of a digital single-lens reflex camera.
The G series offers features such as the use of a lithium-ion battery, an articulated LCD
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display is a flat panel display, electronic visual display, or video display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals . LCs do not emit light directly....
screen (G7, G9 and G10 have a fixed panel), Raw image format
RAW image format
A camera raw image file contains minimally processed data from the image sensor of either a digital camera, image scanner, or motion picture film scanner. Raw files are so named because they are not yet processed and therefore are not ready to be printed or edited with a bitmap graphics editor...
capture (all models except G7), a lens with a wider maximum aperture
Aperture
In optics, an aperture is a hole or an opening through which light travels. More specifically, the aperture of an optical system is the opening that determines the cone angle of a bundle of rays that come to a focus in the image plane. The aperture determines how collimated the admitted rays are,...
than standard PowerShot models, remote capture (except G11), and faster electronics. The range also includes a hot shoe
Hot shoe
A hot shoe is a mounting point on the top of a camera to attach a flash unit.- Design :The hot shoe is shaped somewhat like an inverted, squared-off "U" of metal. The matching adapter on the bottom of the flash unit slides in from the back of the camera and is sometimes secured by a clamping screw...
for an external flashgun, including Canon's EX range
Canon EOS flash system
Canon Inc.'s EOS flash system refers to the photographic flash mechanism used on Canon's film or digital EOS single-lens reflex cameras. The line was first introduced in 1987. It has gone through a number of revisions over the years, as new flash exposure metering systems have been introduced...
.
Main specifications
| Lens (35 mm equiv) zoom, aperture Aperture In optics, an aperture is a hole or an opening through which light travels. More specifically, the aperture of an optical system is the opening that determines the cone angle of a bundle of rays that come to a focus in the image plane. The aperture determines how collimated the admitted rays are,... |
Image processor | LCD screen size, pixels |
Memory | Size W×H×D (mm) |
Weight (body, g) |
Photo | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | September 2000 | 3.3 MP 2048 × 1536 1/1.8" CCD Charge-coupled device A charge-coupled device is a device for the movement of electrical charge, usually from within the device to an area where the charge can be manipulated, for example conversion into a digital value. This is achieved by "shifting" the signals between stages within the device one at a time... |
34–102 mm (3×) f/2.0–2.5 F-number In optics, the f-number of an optical system expresses the diameter of the entrance pupil in terms of the focal length of the lens; in simpler terms, the f-number is the focal length divided by the "effective" aperture diameter... |
1.8" vari-angle | CF | 120 × 77 × 64 | 420 |  |
First member of the Powershot G series. | |
| G2 | August 2001 | 4 MP 2272 × 1704 1/1.8" CCD |
121 × 77 × 64 | 510 |  |
|||||
| G3 | September 2002 | 35–140 mm (4×) f/2.0–3.0 |
DIGIC | 121 × 74 × 70 | 481 |  |
Introduction of DIGIC processor. Introduction of internal neutral density filter. | |||
| G5 | June 2003 | 5 MP 2592 × 1944 1/1.8" CCD |
1.8" vari-angle 118,000 |
 |
||||||
| G6 | August 2004 | 7.1 MP 3072 × 2304 1/1.8" CCD |
2.0" vari-angle 118,000 |
105 × 73 × 73 | 380 | |||||
| G7 | September 2006 | 10 MP 3648 × 2736 1/1.8" CCD |
35–210 mm (6×) f/2.8–4.8 |
DIGIC III | 2.5" fixed 207,000 |
SD Secure Digital Secure Digital is a non-volatile memory card format developed by the SD Card Association for use in portable devices. The SD technology is used by more than 400 brands across dozens of product categories and more than 8,000 models, and is considered the de-facto industry standard.Secure Digital... , SDHC, MMC MultiMediaCard The MultiMediaCard is a flash memory memory card standard. Unveiled in 1997 by Siemens AG and SanDisk, it is based on Toshiba's NAND-based flash memory, and is therefore much smaller than earlier systems based on Intel NOR-based memory such as CompactFlash. MMC is about the size of a postage... |
106 × 72 × 43 | 320 |  |
Introduction of DIGIC III processor. Introduction of a new lens brought a 1 cm macro mode and lens shift optical image stabilisation. Maximum sensitivity of ISO 3200. Face detection Face detection Face detection is a computer technology that determines the locations and sizes of human faces in arbitrary images. It detects facial features and ignores anything else, such as buildings, trees and bodies.... auto focus. The only G series camera to lack RAW mode capture. No Compact Flash support. |
| G9 | August 2007 | 12.1 MP 4000 × 3000 1/1.7" CCD |
3.0" fixed 230,000 |
 |
Similar to the G7. Most notable changes were reintroduction of Raw image format RAW image format A camera raw image file contains minimally processed data from the image sensor of either a digital camera, image scanner, or motion picture film scanner. Raw files are so named because they are not yet processed and therefore are not ready to be printed or edited with a bitmap graphics editor... capture, a better LCD, and a new sensor. |
|||||
| G10 | October 2008 | 14.7 MP 4416 × 3312 1/1.7" CCD |
28–140 mm (5×) f/2.8–4.5 |
DIGIC 4 | 3.0" fixed 461,000 |
SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC+, HC MMC+ | 109 × 78 × 46 | 350 |  |
Introduced DIGIC 4 and a redesigned wide-angle lens with shorter zoom range. Increased LCD and CCD resolution. New higher-capacity Lithium Ion battery NB-7L. |
| G11 | October 2009 | 10 MP 3648 × 2736 1/1.7" CCD |
2.8" vari-angle 461,000 |
112 × 76 × 48 | 355 | Reduced CCD resolution to 10 MP. Vari-angle screen. Improved noise control – up to ISO 12800 in 2.5 MP resolution. No remote capture support. |
||||
| G12 | September 2010 | 112.1 x 76.2 x 48.3 | 351 | Adds 720p video recording, front control dial, and Hybrid IS. |
G1 to G6
Common features across the early G series were:- A fast lensLens speedLens speed refers to the maximum aperture diameter, or minimum f-number, of a photographic lens. A lens with a larger maximum aperture is a fast lens because it delivers more light intensity to the focal plane, allowing a faster shutter speed...
(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 formatRAW image formatA camera raw image file contains minimally processed data from the image sensor of either a digital camera, image scanner, or motion picture film scanner. Raw files are so named because they are not yet processed and therefore are not ready to be printed or edited with a bitmap graphics editor...
capture. - 1/1.8" CCD sensor.
- Manual selection of apertureApertureIn optics, an aperture is a hole or an opening through which light travels. More specifically, the aperture of an optical system is the opening that determines the cone angle of a bundle of rays that come to a focus in the image plane. The aperture determines how collimated the admitted rays are,...
and shutter priorityShutter priorityShutter priority refers to a setting on some cameras that allows the user to choose a specific shutter speed while the camera adjusts the aperture to ensure correct exposure...
. - 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 filterNeutral density filterIn photography and optics, a neutral density filter or ND filter can be a colorless or grey filter. An ideal neutral density filter reduces and/or modifies intensity of all wavelengths or colors of light equally, giving no changes in hue of color rendition.The purpose of standard photographic...
from the G3 onwards. - Lithium ion batteryLithium ion batteryA lithium-ion battery is a family of rechargeable battery types in which lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge, and back when charging. Chemistry, performance, cost, and safety characteristics vary across LIB types...
.
G7 to G12
RAW image format
A camera raw image file contains minimally processed data from the image sensor of either a digital camera, image scanner, or motion picture film scanner. Raw files are so named because they are not yet processed and therefore are not ready to be printed or edited with a bitmap graphics editor...
capture, and a tilt-and-swivel LCD. These were all considered hallmark features of the G series, but were removed or altered for the G7. Some of the major changes included:
- Introduction of a lens with a minimum F number of 2.8, compared to 2.0 in other G series cameras. Although slower, this lens introduced improvements such as optical image stabilisation, a higher zoom range (6×), and a macro mode that would focus as close as 1 cm. The lens would 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%. The tilt-and swivel LCD was restored with the G11 (see below.)
- Removal of RAW image format on G7, but returned for the G9–G12.
- No infrared remote control.
- Change from CompactFlashCompactFlashCompactFlash is a mass storage device format used in portable electronic devices. Most CompactFlash devices contain flash memory in a standardized enclosure. The format was first specified and produced by SanDisk in 1994...
to SDHC card storage. - 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 4.25 cm while the G6 is 7.3 cm), making it more portable.
The decision to remove RAW shooting support was heavily criticized. DPReview stated that they were disappointed with the loss of RAW format, while Luminous Landscape stated that the removal of RAW meant that too many technical decisions had to be made while shooting instead of post-processing.
RAW support can be enabled on the G7 using a free firmware add-on.
The G9 was released in 2007. Among its features were restored RAW support, a larger LCD screen, and a 1/1.7" sensor rather than the 1/1.8" sensor on previous models,.
The G11, released in 2009, reintroduced the flip out and twist LCD (2.8"). It also features a lower resolution sensor than that of its predecessor, the G10, which gives it better performance at high sensitivities.
Accessories
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.
Use by journalists
G series cameras have seen some use by photojournalists. John D McHughJohn D McHugh
John D McHugh is an Irish photojournalist and filmmaker, and is based in London, England.-Early life:McHugh was born in London to Irish parents. Moving back to Ireland when he was an infant, he grew up in a rural farming community. He returned to London in 1997, and in 2002 he began working as a...
used a G12 when covering the 2011 Bahraini uprising
2011 Bahraini uprising
The 2011 Bahraini uprising, sometimes called the February 14 Revolution is a series of demonstrations, amounting to a sustained campaign of civil resistance, in the Persian Gulf country of Bahrain...
.
See also
- Canon PowerShotCanon PowerShotThe PowerShot products are a line of consumer and prosumer grade digital cameras, launched by Canon in 1996. The PowerShot line has been successful for Canon, and is one of the best-selling digital camera lines worldwide....
- Canon PowerShot ACanon PowerShot AThe Canon PowerShot A is a series of digital cameras released by Canon. The A-series is Canon's budget line of cameras, although its feature set has varied as cameras have ranged from low-end point-and-shoot cameras to high-end prosumer cameras capable of rivaling Canon's flagship...
- Canon PowerShot SCanon PowerShot SThe Canon PowerShot S is a series of digital cameras released by Canon. The S-series was originally a line of compact point-and-shoot cameras, slowly evolving into a prosumer line of cameras slotting right beneath the G series cameras. The line later branched off into Canon's line of super-zoom...
- Canon PowerShot SD or Digital ElphCanon Digital IXUSThe Digital IXUS is a series of digital cameras released by Canon. It is a line of ultracompact cameras, originally based on the design of Canon's IXUS/IXY/ELPH line of APS cameras....
New models
- Canon PowerShot G7 – Canon USA website
- Canon PowerShot G9 – Canon USA website
- Canon PowerShot G10 – Canon USA website
- Canon PowerShot G11 – Canon USA website
- Canon PowerShot G12 - Canon USA website
- Canon G11 vs G12