Canon PowerShot G10 Review
BY: David Rasnake, DigitalCameraReview.com EditorPUBLISHED: 11/3/2008
My Canon PowerShot G10 review unit hadn't been out of the box ten minutes when the crowd of interested onlookers from the NotebookReview.com offices upstairs started filing by to poke, prod, and play with Canon's latest advanced compact. Of course, what everyone wants to know, and what more than one person who stopped by my office to examine the G10 discussed at length, was how the G10 compares to its venerable predecessor, the Canon G9.
BUY the Canon PowerShot G10
Among advanced compacts, Canon's PowerShot G model (most recently represented by the G9) is the undisputed 500 pound gorilla – both figuratively and, in light of the G10's hefty magnesium shell, somewhat literally as well. While Canon didn't give us the revolutionary overhaul some were hoping for with the G10, they've unquestionably upped the ante with the latest G model's 14.7 megapixel sensor, DIGIC IV processor, and sizable magnesium shell. Will the sum total of these upgrades be enough to make the G10 a flagship performer among flagship compact cameras?
FEATURES OVERVIEW | FORM, FIT, AND FEEL |
PERFORMANCE | IMAGE QUALITY |
CONCLUSIONS | SPECIFICATIONS |
FEATURES OVERVIEW
Building on the basic platform set forth in the previous G9, the Canon PowerShot G10 features a 14.7 megapixel CCD imager, a new 5x zoom lens, and a high-resolution LCD. For those unfamiliar with what Canon's latest top-tier PowerShot brings to the table, we put together a short video preview for our First Thoughts piece hitting the specs sheet highlights and showing off the G10 in action.
As noted in the video, Canon's latest flagship compact is among the first PowerShot models to get the new DIGIC IV image processor. The addition offers some key upgrades, including face detection that's further improved and an increase in overall camera performance and shooting speed.
To this end, the G10 also further expands the raw shooting capabilities set out in the G9. The latest G camera's raw files are now fully compatible with Canon's Digital Photo Professional raw conversion and workflow software. Of course, the new model is capable of JPEG capture as well.
The G10 gets a lens that's not as wide-ranging as the one on its predecessor, but may have more appeal nonetheless. Whereas the G9 sports a 6x lens, the G10's 5x, optically stabilized glass reaches all the way out to a 28mm wide-angle end – significantly wider than the G9's spec.
Control arrangement on the G10 is similar to the G9's setup, with a few key changes. Most notably, the new camera adds an additional dedicated exposure control dial on the left-hand side of the top deck, moving the ISO control that used to sit in this location to a position atop the mode dial. More on this change in the next section.
Out back, users will find a new 3.0 inch high-res LCD in addition to an optical viewfinder. The new screen represents another significant step forward when compared to the G9, adding twice as much resolution and an additional half-inch to the G camera's screen specs.
As with its predecessor, the G10 permits high-sensitivity shooting at full resolution up to ISO 1600.
In terms of basic shooting modes, very little has changed with the latest G camera. Specifically, the G10 provides the following options on its mode dial:
- Auto: The camera sets all exposure values with highly limited user input.
- Program: The camera sets exposure values, but allows user adjustments for white balance, sensitivity, and the like via the quick access and main menus.
- Aperture Priority: The photographer selects the aperture and the camera selects the correct shutter speed.
- Shutter Priority: The photographer selects the shutter speed and the camera selects the correct aperture.
- Manual: The photographer selects the proper shutter speed, aperture, and ISO for correct exposure.
- Scene: The G10 has a total of 12 scene presets covering a basic range of shooting situations.
- Custom (C1, C2): The two custom shooting modes allow you to pre-program your favorite or most frequently used camera settings into the camera for quick use.
- Stitch Assist: The G10 provides an on-screen overlay, assisting with the creation of panoramic images from multiple shots.
- Video: Video capture is available at up to 640x480/30 fps.
Video capture options on the G10 are highly limited by current standards (640x480 or 320x240 resolutions only), and although quality is good and sound quality isn't bad, the fact that zoom is locked while shooting further limits the G10's power in this area. If you're looking to do lots of video shooting with your still camera, there are better options out there.
For a detailed listing of specifications and features, please refer to the specifications table found at the bottom of the review.
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