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Canon Powershot G

Main specifications

Model

Release

date

Sensor

resolution, size, type

Lens (35 mm equiv)

zoom, aperture

Image processor

LCD screen

size, pixels

Memory

Size

WHD

(mm)

Weight

(body, g)

Photo

Notes

September 2000

3.3 MP

2048 1536

1/1.8" CCD

34102 mm (3)

f/2.02.5

1.8" vari-angle

120 77 64

420

First member of the Powershot G series.

August 2001

4 MP

2272 1704

1/1.8" CCD

121 77 64

510

September 2002

35140 mm (4)

f/2.03.0

DIGIC

121 74 70

481

Introduction of DIGIC processor. Introduction of internal neutral density filter.

June 2003

5 MP

2592 1944

1/1.8" CCD

1.8" vari-angle

118,000

August 2004

7.1 MP

3072 2304

1/1.8" CCD

2.0" vari-angle

118,000

105 73 73

380

September 2006

10 MP

3648 2736

1/1.8" CCD

35210 mm (6)

f/2.84.8

DIGIC III

2.5" fixed

207,000

SD, SDHC, MMC

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 auto focus. The only G series camera to lack RAW mode capture. No Compact Flash support.

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 capture, a better LCD, and a new sensor.

G10

October 2008

14.7 MP

4415 3312

1/1.7" CCD

28140 mm (5)

f/2.84.5

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.

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 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.

G7 to G11

Canon Powershot G9

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:

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%.

Removal of RAW image format on G7, but returned for the G9, G10 and G11.

No infrared remote control.

Change from CompactFlash 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.

Accessories

Canon Powershot G9 with custom accessories

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 with at least the G9 model, 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.

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Canon Powershot G

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