Canon PowerShot G series
Overview
TypeDigital Camera
Lens
LensSee table below
Sensor/medium
Sensor
Maximum resolutionSee table below
Film speedAuto, ISO 80 – 3200 (in 1/3-step increments)
G1 X: Auto, ISO 100 – 12800 (1/3-step increments)
Storage media
Focusing
Focus modesSingle, Continuous (only available in Auto mode), Servo AF/AEl
Exposure/metering
Metering modesEvaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (fixed to center)
Flash
Flash50cm - 70m (wide), 50cm - 4.0m (tele)
Shutter
ShutterMechanical shutter + electronic shutter
Shutter speed range1/1600 – 1 sec. (Auto mode), 1/1600 to 15 sec.
G1 X: 1/4000 – 60 sec. in all modes
Image processing
White balanceAuto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Underwater, Custom
General
LCD screenSee table below
DimensionsSee table below
WeightSee table below
Made inJapan

The Canon PowerShot G is a series of digital cameras introduced by Canon in its PowerShot line in 2000. 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.

The G series has 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 G7 X and G9 X) for an external flashgun, including Canon's EX range. New models in the series have larger sensors than most other point-and-shoot cameras (G1X, G1X Mark II, G7X).

Main specifications

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's 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 G12

Canon Powershot G9

The G7 marked a major change in the G series. Previous G series models had a fast lens, raw image format capture, and a tilt-and-swivel LCD. These were all considered hallmarks 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, but removed again with the G15.
  • Removal of RAW image format on G7, but returned for the G9–G15.
  • No infrared remote control.
  • Change from CompactFlash to SDHC card storage.
  • Black, mostly metal, body.
  • Canon G12 records videos up to 720p HD quality, G15 1080p HD and G1 X 1080p. G15 and G1 X do allow to use zoom and autofocus during video recording.

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 disappointment with the loss of RAW format,[1] 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.[2] RAW support can be enabled on the G7 using a free firmware add-on.

The G9 was released in 2007. RAW support was restored, and it has a larger LCD screen, and a 1/1.7″ sensor rather than the 1/1.8″ sensor on previous models.[3]

The G11, released in 2009, reintroduced the flip out and twist LCD (2.8″). It also has a lower resolution sensor than that of its predecessor, the G10, because the new CCD favoured low light performance over resolution.[4]

G15 and G16

The G15 was the successor to the G12 as the cheaper G-series model. It marked a return to a lens faster than those of early G cameras. It also has:

  • Minimum F numbers of 1.8 at the wide end and 2.8 at the tele end of the zoom range; the G12 had a minimum F number of 2.8 at the wide end
  • Pop-up flash button from the top of the camera

Because of the much larger sensor the G1 X still remained the top model despite G15 having nominally larger aperture.

The G16 shows only minor improvements over the G15, for example:

  • faster image processing
  • automatic star/star trail photography
  • 60 fps HD movies
  • Wi-Fi

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 with 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. G1 X was significant that it did not replace the older G12 but created a parallel model in the first time in G-series. Later that trend would continue with five parallel models from 2015 on. 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).[5] 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. The camera lacks internal viewfinder but supports an external electronic one. It has no microphone input or headphone jack.[6][7]

In October 2017 Canon introduced the third model of the G1 X-series: Canon PowerShot G1 X mark III. It replaced the 1.5" sensor with a 24 megapixel APS-C sensor used in many Canon EOS DSLR and mirrorless cameras. The camera also was much reduced in size and weight, weighting only 399 grams. To achieve the reduced size the zoom range was reduced to 15–45 mm (24–72 mm in 35 mm equivalence) and the size of the aperture was reduced from f/2.0-3.9 to f/2.8-5.6. The Mark III also has internal viewfinder and a DSLR-like form factor much similar to the G5 X. It also is the first PowerShot (with the exception of waterproof D-series) to have weather sealing.

G3 X

G3 X is the superzoom model in the G-series. It offers a 25x zoom (24–600 mm equivalent) with aperture f/2.8-5.6. It offers an alternative to the Canon Powershot SX-series cameras with much better image quality. Because of the lens the camera is much larger than other G-series cameras - weighing 739 grams. The camera supports an optional electronic viewfinder

G5 X and G9 X

In Q3 2015 Canon introduced the successors to its older G16 and S120 cameras. These were G5 X and G9 X respectively. Both of these use one inch sensor instead of the older 1/1.7". The G5 X is essentially a G7 X with an integral electronic viewfinder. The G16 had an optical viewfinder. The G5 X also has a DSLR-like form factor with viewfinder in the center instead of the rangefinder-like in the G16. The G9 X is similar in size to the S120 it replaced. The larger sensor necessitated that the zoom range was reduced from 5x to 3x i.e. 24 – 120 mm to 28 – 84 mm. With the introduction of the G9 X the S-series was discontinued and all top models are in G-series. It also meant the end of the use of 1/1.7" (9.5 mm diagonal) sensors in Canon cameras and all top models being at least one inch (16 mm diagonal) and other models having 1/2.3" (7.7 mm diagonal).

In 2017 Canon updated the G9 X into G9 X mark II with the new Digic 7 processor, faster operation and built in RAW processing. No external changes were done.

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 characteristics of the previous G-series cameras, including the comparable G1X Mark II. The G7 X is the first G-series camera without a hot shoe.

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.[8] 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. The G7 X Mark II costs $650 on the official Canon website.

Model details

Model Release
date		 Sensor
resolution, size, type		 Video specification Lens (35 mm equiv)
zoom, aperture		 Image
pro-
cessor		 LCD screen
size, subpixels		 View
finder		 Memory
card		 Size
W×H×D
(mm)		 Weight
(body)		 Notes
G1
 September 2000 3.3 MP
2048 × 1536
1/1.8″ CCD		 320x240 15fps 34–102 mm (3×)
f/2.0–2.5		 1.8″ vari-angle Optical CF 120 × 77 × 64 420 g Initial PowerShot G series model.[9]
G2
 August 2001 4 MP
2272 × 1704
1/1.8″ CCD		 121 × 77 × 64 510 g [10]
G3
 September 2002 35–140 mm (4×)
f/2.0–3.0		 DIGIC 121 × 74 × 70 481 g Introduction of DIGIC processor. Introduction of internal neutral density filter.[11]
G5
 June 2003 5 MP
2592 × 1944
1/1.8″ CCD		 1.8″ vari-angle
118,000		 [12]
G6
 August 2004 7.1 MP
3072 × 2304
1/1.8″ CCD		 640x480 10fps

320x240 15fps

 2.0″ vari-angle
118,000		 105 × 73 × 73 380 g [13]
G7
 September 2006 10 MP
3648 × 2736
1/1.8″ CCD		 1024x768 15fps

640x480 30fps

 35–210 mm (6×)
f/2.8–4.8		 DIGIC III 2.5″ fixed
207,000		 SD, SDHC, MMC 106 × 72 × 43 320 g 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.[1]
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 capture, a better LCD, and a new sensor.[14]
G10
 October 2008 14.7 MP
4416 × 3312
1/1.7″ CCD		 640x480 30fps 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 g 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.[15]
G11
 October 2009 10 MP
3648 × 2736
1/1.7″ CCD		 2.8″ vari-angle
461,000		 112 × 76 × 48 355 g Reduced CCD resolution to 10 MP. Vari-angle screen. Improved noise control – up to ISO 12800 in 2.5 MP resolution. Second curtain sync for flash. Added HDMI Out.[16]

No remote capture support.

G12
 September 2010 720p 24fps 112.1 × 76.2 × 48.3 351 g Adds 720p video recording, front control dial, and Hybrid IS.[17]
G1 X
 January 2012 14.3 MP
4352 × 3264
1.5″ CMOS		 1080p 24fps

720p 30fps

 28–112 mm (4×)
f/2.8–5.8		 DIGIC 5 3.0″ vari-angle
920,000		 117 × 81 × 65 492 g First PowerShot G with CMOS. Introduced DIGIC 5 and a redesigned 4× wide-angle lens. Adds 1080p video recording. The first model that did not replace the previous one.
G15
 September 2012 12 MP
4000 × 3000
1/1.7″ CMOS		 1080p 24fps

720p 30fps

640x480 120fps

320x240 240fps

 28–140 mm (5×)
f/1.8-2.8		 3.0″ fixed
922,000		 107 × 76 × 40 352 g Adds a quicker zoom lens (f1.8-2.8 rather than f2.8-4.5) with 'intelligent IS' image stabilization, adds 1080p video recording (24 fps), adds a dedicated movie record button, quicker autofocus, extended ISO range (up to 12800), fixed rather than articulated screen.[18]
G16 August 2013 1080p 60fps

640x480 120fps

320x240 240fps

 DIGIC 6 SD, SDHC, SDXC 109 × 76 × 40 356 g Adds Wi-Fi and DIGIC 6. Last of the old series with an OVF and a small sensor.
G1 X Mark II February 2014 3:2 12,8 MP
4.352 x 2.904
4:3 13.1 MP
4.160 x 3.120
1.5″ CMOS		 1080p 30fps 24–120 mm (5×)
f/2.0–3.9		 3.0″ tilt LCD
1,040,000		 Electronic, optional 116 x 74 x 66 558 g Introduced a redesigned 5× wide-angle lens.
G7 X
 September 2014 20 MP 1″ BSI-CMOS 1080p 60fps 24–100 mm (4.2×)
f/1.8–2.8		 No viewfinder 103 x 60 x 40 304 g First PowerShot G to not have a hot shoe
G3 X
 October 2015 24–600 mm (25×)
f/2.8-5.6		 Electronic, optional 123 x 77 x 105 733 g Alternative to the SX series
G5 X
 24–100 mm (4.2×)
f/1.8–2.8		 3.0″ articulated LCD
1,040,000		 Electronic 112 x 76 x 44 353 g Replaced the G16
G9 X 28–84 mm (3×)
f/2.0–4.9		 3.0″ LCD
1,040,000		 No viewfinder 98 x 58 x 31 209 g Replaced the S120
G7 X Mark II
 February 2016 24–100 mm (4.2×)
f/1.8–2.8		 DIGIC 7 3.0″ tilt LCD
1,040,000		 106 x 61 x 42 319 g Replaced the G7 X
G9 X Mark II

January 2017 28–84 mm (3×)
f/2.0–4.9		 3.0″ LCD
1,040,000		 98 x 58 x 31 206 g Replaced the G9 X
G1 X Mark III

October 2017 24 MP APS-C 24–72 mm (3×)
f/2.8–5.6		 3.0″ articulated LCD
1,040,000		 Electronic 150 x 78 x 51 399 g Replaced the G1 X II
G5 X Mark II August 2019 20 MP 1″ BSI-CMOS 1080p 120fps

4k 30fps

 24–120 mm (5×)
f/1.8–2.8		 DIGIC 8 3.0″ tilt LCD
1,040,000		 111 x 61 x 46 340 g Replaced the G5 X, similar to the G7 X Mark III
G7 X Mark III 24–100 mm (4.2×)
f/1.8–2.8		 No viewfinder 105 x 61 x 41 304g

Note that the weight up to G12 is for the camera without the battery and from G1 X on the camera including the battery and the memory card.

Accessories

Canon Powershot G9 with custom accessories

The Powershot G series can employ several photographic accessories:

  • Filters and other threaded lens accessories can be used with an adapter tube available from Canon or third party suppliers.
  • Close-up lenses
  • Wide angle or telephoto converter lenses

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.[19]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Joinson, Simon (November 2006). "Canon PowerShot G7 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  2. ↑ www.jasonpomerleau.com, Jason Pomerleau- (January 13, 2009). "Canon G7 Review".
  3. ↑ "Canon PowerShot G9 digital camera specifications: Digital Photography Review". March 5, 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-03-05.
  4. ↑ "Canon PowerShot G11". www.cameralabs.com.
  5. ↑ Lars Rehm; R Butler; Andy Westlake. "Canon PowerShot G1 X Review". Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  6. ↑ Zach Honig (February 11, 2014). "Canon updates high-end PowerShot lineup with $799 G1 X Mark II".
  7. ↑ Zach Honig (February 13, 2014). "Canon's burly PowerShot G1 X Mark II is a pleasure to use".
  8. ↑ Asklens.com (May 5, 2016). "Canon G7 X Mark II review". Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  9. ↑ Askey, Phil (September 2000). "Canon G1 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  10. ↑ Askey, Phil (August 2001). "Canon PowerShot G2 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  11. ↑ Askey, Phil (December 2002). "Canon PowerShot G3 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  12. ↑ Askey, Phil (July 2003). "Canon PowerShot G5 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  13. ↑ Askey, Phil (December 2004). "Canon PowerShot G6 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  14. ↑ Joinson, Simon (October 2007). "Canon PowerShot G9 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  15. ↑ Wan, Don (November 2008). "Canon PowerShot G10 Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  16. ↑ "Canon unveils PowerShot G11 high-end compact". Digital Photography Review. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  17. ↑ "Canon releases PowerShot G12 premium compact". Digital Photography Review. 14 September 2010. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  18. ↑ "Canon PowerShot G15 hands-on preview". Digital Photography Review. 2012-09-17. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  19. ↑ Coomes, Phil (25 March 2011). "John D McHugh on covering protests in Bahrain". Viewfinder a blog about photos in the news. BBC. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
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