The
PowerShot G2 is the newest addition to Canon's expanding line-up
of digital cameras and, in our view, the best designed one to date, right
down to its colour co-ordinated push-on lens cap.
The G2 is definitely
not a "slip in a pocket" camera along the lines of either the
S or A series.
Not only does it have the size of a big 35mm compact, it has a weight
of 500 gr (17.5 oz) with the battery. This is a camera with a nice solid
feel and a big 4 megapixel image.
Just
like the G1, the G2 features a rotating LCD screen — a design first
introduced with the Pro70,
then on the G1
and the Pro 90.
When closed, the
metal-covered back of the LCD screen faces out.
The screen is opened, and activated, by pulling it away from the camera
and moving it to the left. It can then be rotated 180° and pushed
back into the recessed area on the camera's back.
If
the screen is left facing out, or is opened prior to the camera being
turned on, then on power-up it displays the PowerShot logo (above) while
a cascade of notes burst forth of the side speaker.
In many ways, the G2 takes some of the best ideas from those explored
by Canon as they developed their digital cameras. The camera is designed
for the serious amateur and the layout of controls clearly shows it.
The
finish of the optical viewfinder is also a improvement over the one of
the G1, which has a sharp metal trim that can easily scratch eyeglasses.
Instead this one is slightly recessed, and surrounded by smooth plastic.
A diopter correction is built-in on the left of the exit pupil; and the
2 LEDs remain visible but unobtrusive when the viewfinder is in use.
The colours used for the 2 LEDs are easily remembered.
The
upper LED glows green when ready to shoot; orange when ready to shoot
with the flash. Flashing green serves to indicate recording and flashing
orange warns of possible camera shake. The lower LED glows yellow to indicate
Macro Mode, or Manual Focus, and will flash rapidly to let the user know
that the camera is unable to acquire focus.
The top of the
G2 has a flash shoe mounted at the centre which is fully synchronized
with a variety of Canon flash units (Canon Speedlites 220EX, 380EX, 420EX,
550EX and the Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX), but which also works extremely
well with a standard manual flash.
The
Mode Dial and the Power Switch are immediately to the right side
of the hotshoe;
while the shutter release and the zoom control are placed
a bit further and closer to the front. Completing the controls on top
of the G2 is a button to activate sequentially the Burst mode,
or the self-timer - remote control. The remote control is provided
with the camera.
The
left side of the G2's top provides a large LCD status display that shows
all important camera settings. The panel is so complete that it indicates
19 different functions and settings, including aperture and shutter speed.
With the
G2, Canon achieves a truly nice design and yet one that is quite intuitive.
In short, the type of camera most photographers will appreciate.
while the shutter release and the zoom control are placed
a bit further and closer to the front. Completing the controls on top
of the G2 is a button to activate sequentially the Burst mode,
or the self-timer - remote control. The remote control is provided
with the camera.
