Canon PowerShot compact camera reviews

The PowerShot G series, until recently, was known for its extremely serious design approach to hardware interface solutions. In their desire to make a truly convenient and useful auxiliary tool for the professional DSLR photographer, they poured a maximum of buttons, wheels and multi-level selectors on the body of the devices.

Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II

Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II

13,1 Megapixel 24-120 mm 5x 3″ 35 100 Dollars.

Like many cameras with large sensors and built-in optics, the PowerShot G1 X Mark II is a compact only in theory. In terms of size, weight, ergonomics, functionality, it is much more like a “system” camera. Much of this size is determined by the size of the light receptor. With dimensions of 18,7×14,0 mm it only slightly differs from APS-C format sensors. In order to light it up completely, you need a rather large optic moved away from its surface at a considerable distance. If we compare the G1 X Mark II with other compacts in our selection in APS-C and larger format by total measurements, it turns out that Canon is bulkier than all of them, even the full-frame Sony Cyber-shot. But it should be taken into consideration that more “diminutive” competitors are equipped either with fx-optics or low-powered zooms. While the 5x zoom lens, of course, gives photographers a lot more freedom in cropping, zooming and perspective.

The PowerShot G series has been known until recently for taking the hardware interface very seriously. In their desire to make a really convenient and useful assistant tool for a professional photographer with a DSLR camera they poured on the body of devices maximum buttons, wheels and multi-level selectors. In the G1 X Mark II the concept was revised, removing everything superfluous from the top panel, and at the same time cutting off a number of millimeters of the dimensions of its predecessor. Multifunctional rings on the lens in the number of two take on the functions of changing different parameters depending on the current mode. Without taking up any useful space on the body, they perform their assigned tasks superbly.

Following the example of a number of other manufacturers Canon chose to make the viewfinder in the G1X Mark II an option. EVF-DC1 2.36 million-dot electronic eyepiece with a 90-degree upward rotation mechanism can be purchased separately and installed in the camera’s hot shoe. Like all such solutions, it doesn’t come cheap, but it’s much better quality and much more useful than the optical eye of previous models. And it doesn’t take up much space in the body either.

The camera is tightly integrated into Canon’s EOS system. The user can expand the camera’s capabilities by installing proprietary Speedlite flashes or transmitters, and use the same remote controls via an E3 port as on a DSLR. An optional lens hood is available to protect the optics from reflection and glare, and a variety of filters can be screwed onto the lens through a 58 mm thread adapter.

The creative toolset is also designed for experienced photographers who understand what they want to get in an image and how it can be done. Such buyers will love the specialized features of the camera, such as support for synchronization with external flashes at short exposures up to 1/4000 sec, the ability to save images in 14-bit RAW format, the histogram display in real time and adjusted exposure. Significant disadvantage for some will be the practical absence of continuous shooting. A nice addition – the presence of Wi-Fi and NFC.

Specifications:

Sensor	Manufacturer	Canon
Model	PowerShot G1X Mark II
Medium price*	35100
Size, inches	18,7×14
Effective pixels, millions	12,8
ISO** sensitivity	100-12800
Lens, focus	Eqv. Focal length, mm	24-120
Zoom, multiplicity opt./digital	5x/4x
Photo Shooting	Image Stabilization***	o
Aperture values	2-3,9
Manual focus	+
Macro mode, MDF, cm	5
Shutter speed range, sec	60-1/4000
Scene programs	7
Mode A	+
Mode S	+
Mode M	+
Manual white balance	+
Built-in flash, m	0,5-6,8
Connecting external flash	Hot-shoe
3:2 image format	+
16:9 aspect ratio	+
RAW	+
Video and sound	Video, pixels	1920×1080@30p
Video sound	+
Sound Commentary	–
Recorder	–
Camera	LCD monitor, inches	3,0
LCD monitor resolution, thousands of pixels	1040
Viewfinder****	je
memory card	SD/SDHC/SDXC
Internal memory, MB	–
Power*****	Li-ion 240
Dimensions, mm	116x74x66
Weight, g	558
Date of announcement	2/12/2014

Canon PowerShot G7 X

Canon PowerShot G7 X

20.1 Megapixel 24-100mm 4.2x 3″ 30,300.

The new G7 X is Canon’s attempt to further segment the vast older Power-shot class. In the pocket form factor of S series, the developers have tried to the maximum to realize the level of quality and functionality of models Gx X. The physical ability to combine a relatively small body with a large 1.5-inch proprietary sensor is not available, and therefore was taken rather uncharacteristic company decision: to refer to third-party developments. And that’s how Canon got its first one-inch-format camera. Backlit CMOS technology produces still images at 20 megapixels and Full HD video at up to 60 fps progressive scan. With such a sensor, the G7 X doesn’t have many competitors: three generations of the Sony RX100 and the newly acquired Panasonic FZ1000. The camera stands out against their backdrop with more interesting optics in terms of performance. It has the widest zoom range at high maximum aperture.

Around the lens is a control ring, first used in Power-shot S series cameras. Since then, though, this design element has evolved markedly. For each shooting mode, the user is prompted to choose one of several settings, which can be changed by turning the ring directly. This can include exposure values, focal length or focus distance, color temperature correction, and even the degree of dynamic range expansion. Almost all of the buttons on the camera body can be reassigned to suit the photographer’s needs. So in terms of customisation the G7 X can easily keep up with the renowned leaders in the field Olympus and Ricoh. The only setting that can’t be set on the rotary dials and wheels is exposure compensation. The Power-shot G series has a dedicated memory card wheel neatly tucked away under the drive selector. In addition to the ring around the lens, a wheel on the back and a few buttons with preset reconfigurable functionality, the camera offers a touch screen interface. The screen with a 180-degree lift mechanism is sensitive to touch, and the software menu is optimized for navigation and changing settings with your fingers.

The built-in flash with a guide number of 7 limits the camera’s ability to work with pulse lighting. This may have been done deliberately to separate the series models into different segments. Clearly, a “hot shoe” on a narrow top panel would be difficult to fit. But there’s no support for remote control of Speedlite flashes either.

Specifications:

Sensor	Manufacturer	Canon
Model	PowerShot G7X
Average price*	30300
Size, inches	1,0
Effective pixels, millions	20,1
ISO** ISO sensitivity	125-12800
Lens, focus	Equ. Focal length, mm	24-100
Zoom, magnification opt./digital	4.2x/4x
Photography	Image stabilization***	o
Aperture values	1,8-2,8
Manual focus	+
Macro mode, MDF, cm	5
Shutter speed range, sec	40-1/2000
Scene programs	7
Mode A	+
S mode	+
M mode	+
Manual white balance	+
Built-in performance flash, m	0,5-7,0
Connecting external flash	Hot-shoe
3:2 image format	+
16:9 aspect ratio	+
RAW	+
Video & sound	Video, pixels	1920×1080@60p
Video sound	+
Audio commentary	–
Recorder	–
Camera	LCD monitor, inches	3,0
LCD monitor resolution, thousand pixels	1040
Viewfinder****	–
Memory Cards	SD/SDHC/SDXC
Internal memory, MB	–
Power*****	Li-ion 310
Dimensions, mm	103x60x40
Weight, g	304
Announcement Date	9/15/2014

Canon PowerShot G16

Canon PowerShot G16

12 MP 28-140 mm 5x 3″ 21,800 Dollars.

It would seem that against the latest models with an X in the index, the classic PowerShot G does not look as attractive as its many predecessors, who over the past 15 years were the undisputed flagship of Canon’s compact lineup. But that’s no reason to write it off.

In these challenging times, the difference of almost 9000 Dollars compared to the G7 X feels almost like a chasm. At the same time, the G16, inferior in picture quality, works much faster and is noticeably more responsive in terms of control. Contrast-detect autofocus system here has less lag and fails less frequently. So that 5.7 fps in continuous shooting mode with tracking focus, the camera works fine. With its fixed focus the G16 can take between 12.2 and 9.3 shots per second in a virtually endless burst.

Five-fold focal length zoom, not as wide in angle of view as the older models, but longer in telephoto position. Let’s just say it makes portrait photography more interesting. The minimum focus distance of this lens is just 1cm. You can’t get the full magnification of the G16 without the accessories, of course, but it gives you dramatically better close-ups of smaller objects than the G1 X Mark II and G7 X have to offer. Bright optics is complemented by the possibility of setting a short shutter speed of 1/4000 s and built-in pluggable neutral filter that reduces exposure by 3 steps. When using an external flash the flash will sync across the entire shutter speed range, the built-in blitz – only up to 1/2000 seconds, but even that in most cases is enough. With this feature set, even in sunny conditions using ambient light, the G16 offers the lowest available DOF.

Although only released more than a year ago, the camera already uses the now popular 5-axis vibration compensation system with 3.5 stops of EV. It has proven itself in video mode, which in itself is very good both in quality and functionality. The G16 beats the G1 X Mark II in this ratio as well.

When comparing this camera to the G7 X, we can’t help but notice its tighter integration into the EOS system. This will play into the hands of photographers who already have a Canon DSLR and are looking for a smaller and lighter addition: the current flagship may be too heavy for those purposes.

Besides the extensive arsenal of more or less familiar shooting modes, the camera has a set of astrophotography programs. The G16 self exposes and overlays frames to capture clear shots of the starry sky or a star track effect. It even has the ability to shoot spectacular astronomical time-lapse, or rather, to gather the frames into a reel for time-lapse photography. Two RAWs of varying aspect ratios captured at the same time make shooting ordinary scenes a breeze. Integration of wireless data transmission and control module.

Specifications:

Sensor	The manufacturer	Canon
Model	PowerShot G16
Average price*	21800
Size, inches	1/1,7
Effective pixels, millions	12,1
ISO sensitivity**	80-12800
Lens, focusing	Eqv. Focal length, mm	28-140
Zoom, magnification opt./digital	5x/4x
Photography	Image stabilization***	o
Aperture values	1,8-2,8
Manual focus	+
Macro mode, MDF, cm	1
Shutter speed range, sec	250-1/4000
Scene programs	7
Mode A	+
S mode	+
M Mode	+
Manual white balance	+
Built-in flashes, m	0,5-5,0
Connection external flash	Hot-shoe
3:2 image format	+
Picture format 16:9	+
RAW	+
Video and sound	Video, pixels	1920×1080@60p
Sound Video	+
Audio commentary	–
Voice recorder	–
Camera	LCD monitor, inches	3,0
LCD monitor resolution, thousands of pixels	922
Viewfinder****	o
Memory cards	SD/SDHC/SDXC
Internal memory, MB	–
Power*****	Li-ion 360
Dimensions, mm	109×76×40
Weight, g	356
Announcement Date	8/22/2013

Canon PowerShot S120

Canon PowerShot S120

12 mP 24-120 mm 5x 3″ 16,900 Dollars.

The PowerShot S120 and G16 relate to each other in the same way as the G7 X and G1 X Mark II: roughly similar performance electronics, presented in one case in a pocket-sized format, the other in a larger, but more ergonomic body with greater expandability. The basis of the camera are the high-performance Digic 6 processor and a 1/1.7 inch CMOS sensor with a relatively small number of photodiodes, but with a decent light sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio. The smaller incarnation of the G16 maintains the same fast continuous shooting speed, as well as the accuracy and speed of autofocus.

Since the design of the G7 X is based on the PowerShot S120, everything we said before about the design and operation of the older camera is also true for the younger one. The only difference is that the touch screen here is built-in, not swivel. In addition, the resolution of the three-inch matrix is lower and is 922 thousand pixels, but, in our opinion, the difference with 1044 thousand pixels will not be so crucial.

The entire G16 program suite is reproduced, including astrophotovideo, and the manual adjustments of the higher class are almost completely presented. HDR photography is supported in 3 automatic exposures at high speed, which allows you to avoid using a tripod and still get pictures without unwanted blurring of the boundaries of objects.

Naturally the smaller body doesn’t allow for all the necessary buttons and wheels, but the touch screen compensates for the lack of buttons and wheels. In addition, the remaining buttons turned out to be quite large in area, and consequently, the photographer will have less trouble controlling the camera while wearing gloves. No hot shoe, just a built-in flash. Developers have not forgotten to embed a Wi-Fi interface through which the camera can receive from a mobile device equipped with GPS or GLONASS, data about the place where photos were taken. Software for Apple iOS and Google Android mobile operating systems gives remote access to a large number of camera settings. The most significant difference of the S120 in photographic terms is the wider than the G16, but less bright 5x zoom. In the telephoto position, the maximum aperture is covered to f/5.7. But the price of the device is much more affordable than other representatives of the senior segment of Canon PowerShot line.

Specifications:

Matrix	Manufacturer	Canon
Model	PowerShot S120
Average price*	16900
Size, inches	1/1,7
Effective pixels, millions	12,1
ISO** sensitivity	80-12800
Lens, focusing	Eqv. Focal length, mm	24-120
Zoom, multiplicity option ./digital	5x/4x
Photography	Image stabilization***	o
Aperture value	1,8-5,7
Manual focus	+
Macro mode, MDF, cm	1
Shutter speed range, sec	250-1/4000
Scene programs	7
Mode A	+
Mode S	+
M Mode	+
Manual white balance	+
Built-in flash, m	0,5-570
Connecting external flash	Canon HF-DC1
3:2 image format	+
16:9 aspect ratio	+
RAW	+
Video and sound	Video, pixels	1920×1080@60p
Video sound	+
Sound Commentary	–
Voice recorder	–
Camera	LCD monitor, inches	3,0
LCD resolution, thousand pixels	922
Viewfinder****	–
Memory cards	SD/SDHC/SDXC
Internal memory, MB	–
Power*****	Li-ion 230
Dimensions, mm	100x59x29
Weight, g	217
Announcement Date	8/22/2013