Type Digital Camera Maximum resolution See table below | Lens See table below | |
 | ||
Sensor 1/1.8" CCD (G1-G7)1/1.7" CCD (G9-G12)1/1.7" CMOS (G15-G16)1.5" CMOS (G1 X)1" CMOS (G7 X) ASA/ISO range Auto, ISO 80 – 3200 (in 1/3-step increments)G1 X: Auto, ISO 100 – 12800 (1/3-step increments) Storage CompactFlash (G1-G6)Secure Digital (G7-present) | ||
The Canon PowerShot G is a series of digital cameras released by Canon. The G series cameras are Canon's flagship compact models aimed at photography enthusiasts desiring more flexibility than a point-and-shoot without the bulk of a digital single-lens reflex camera.
Contents
The G series offers features such as the use of a lithium-ion battery, full manual exposure control, an articulated LCD screen (G7, G9, G10, G15, and G16 have a fixed screen), 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 image processing. The range also includes a hot shoe (except G7X) for an external flashgun, including Canon's EX range. Three models in the series have larger sensors than most other point-and-shoot cameras (G1X, G1X Mark II, G7X).
G1 to G6
Common features across the early G series were:
G7 to G12
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.
Canon's removal of RAW shooting support was heavily criticized. DPReview expressed their disappointed with the loss of RAW format, while Luminous Landscape stated that the removal of RAW required too many technical decisions had to be made while shooting instead of during 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, because the new CCD favoured low light performance over resolution.
G1 X
The G1 X was introduced in February 2012 and is a significant step out of the traditional G-line because of its much larger sensor, and it is the first model featuring a CMOS sensor. The G1 X's sensor measures 18.7 x 14.0 mm (1.5"), which makes it even 16 percent bigger than the Micro Four Thirds standard (MFT), and 20 percent smaller than APS-C Canon sensor. The camera is also bigger and heavier than the other G-series cameras, and the zoom range in equivalent 35mm is only 28-112mm (4x). With its maximum aperture over its zoom range being F2.8-5.8, and with its sensor smaller than Canon APS-C sensor, the G1 X camera-lens system can be compared to the APS-C DSLRs using the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II SLR Kit Lens: the G1 X is a little faster (wider aperture) at the wide angle and comparable thereafter, but with a longer zoom.
Released at early 2014, the G1 X Mark II has a 13.1-megapixel (in 4:3 aspect ratio), but still 1.5" CMOS sensor as the predecessor, a 24-120mm (5x) f/2-3.9 relatively a fast zoom lens, for better shallow depth of field throughout the maximum-aperture range, and sharp shots even in low light, a DIGIC 6 processor with capability to take 1080/60p MP4 video shoots, but neither optical viewfinder or EVF available and no microphone input and headphone jack.
Although G1 X Mark II sensor is larger than MFT sensor, the Sensor Overall Score of DxO Labs is only 58 points, while the MFT Olympus OM-D E-M10 gets 72 points and the MFT Panasonic DMC-GM1 gets 66 points.
G15 and G16
The G15 marked a return to a lens faster than those of early G cameras. Other features of the G15 include:
The G16 shows only minor improvements over the G15, for example:
G7 X
With the G7 X, Canon added its own model to the large-sensor compact camera market. The G7X is Canon's first 1-inch sensor model, and boasts 20.2-megapixels and the DIGIC 6 image processor. Despite this, the camera is still small enough to be pocketable, like its primary competitor, the Sony RX100. It has a 4.2x zoom (24-100mm in 35mm format), a maximum aperture of f/1.8-f/2.8, ISO 12800, Full HD video shooting, 31 AF points, and Wi-Fi/NFC support. It inherits many features from previous G-series cameras, including the comparable G1X Mark II. The camera is the first G-series camera to lack a hot shoe for mounting external flash units.
G7 X mark II
In 2016 Canon announced the Canon PowerShot G7 X mark II which follows the original G7 X. It retains the same sensor and lens as its predecessor. The main improvement is the new DIGIC 7 Processor. In fact the G7 X mark II is the first Canon camera to use this new chip. This new chip leads to better AF performance, object tracking, reduced ISO noise and higher speed burst shooting. Some other improvements are that the screen can now flip both up and down, a new grip, tiltable flash, auto functionality for the ND filter, battery charging over USB, and a new timelapse mode.
Accessories
The Powershot G series can employ several photographic accessories:
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.
Use by a journalist
John D McHugh used a G12 when covering the Bahraini uprising.