With its 7.1 megapixel image,
the new PowerShot G6 is yet another step forward in the evolution
of the G-series cameras from Canon. The G6 yields photos that
show a high level of detail that often rival the image quality
of a digital SLR.
Metering is very reliable with the G6, and the default Evaluative pattern
can be trusted to meter accurately even under very low light.
Although a bit bulkier than many
compact cameras, the G6 reacts quite quickly. It is ready to
shoot approximately 3 seconds after being powered on, and has
a shutter lag that is usually less than a second.
The G6 is designed to be both an easy to use compact and a photography
aficionado's camera. Left on Auto or Program mode, the camera turns out
flawless images at the press of the shutter release. While for the more
advanced photographer, the Priority modes, Manual mode and the neutral
density filter make it possible to compose images with a very high degree
of control.
Aperture f4, shutter speed: 1/640 sec,
50 ISO.
Aperture: f8, shutter speed: 1/200 sec, 50 ISO.
As with previous models in the
series, the G6 offers a RAW image format that literally guarantees
that the user will obtain the highest image quality possible
from the 7.1 megapixel CCD.
The format uses a non-lossy compression — something similar to a
Zip file — and stores all the pertinent camera settings for exposure
compensation, white balance, sharpness and contrast without applying these
to the image.
The result is that once the image is transferred
to a computer, the user can either apply, or modify these settings
before re-saving the image into a more common format.
That very flexibility makes the RAW image format a favourite for both amateurs
and professionals. However, to the regular user, the need to funnel the
image through Canon's RAW Conversion software is likely too time-consuming
to be useful, particularly since the Super fine JPEG format yields such
excellent images.
Aperture: f4, shutter speed: 1/320 sec, 50 ISO.
Yet, the fact that the mode is available
should be a comfort, and indeed a similar feature should be as
ubiquitous on other digital cameras as their LCD monitor.
Aperture: f5.6, shutter speed: 1/80 sec, 50 ISO.
Photos captured at the widest
angle show a bit of barrel distortion. However, once past the
wide angle setting, photos show no distortion whatsoever, including
in images captured at the maximum telephoto setting of the lens
where no pincushion distortion can be detected. Moreover, chromatic
aberration is very minimal and even shots that contain a wide
contrast range rarely show any trace of purple fringing. With
all these good points, it is somewhat regrettable that the G6
does not offer more features than some of the earlier models.
The introduction of this 7 megapixel camera would
have been a perfect vehicle for additional features such as a
longer shutter speed range, allowing for even longer exposures
at night, or even an extension of the capabilities of the movie
mode.
In all other aspects however, the design of the G6 is a clear improvement
over the G3/G5, and that better ergonomic design translates into an even
more useable camera. In particular, the taller shape of the G6's body makes
the viewfinder fully useable and improves the light coverage of the built-in
flash.
Aperture: f3.2, shutter speed: 1/250 sec, 50 ISO.
Within Canon's G-series, when the
G2 was introduced, it stood out as a special camera in comparison
to its contemporaries. The follow-up models, the G3 and the G5,
excellent cameras in their own right, somehow never attracted
the same aura. The G6 may very well change that by fixing some
of the minor annoyances of these earlier models.
Compare Prices for Canon LADC58D Conversion Lens Adapter for Powershot G6 Digital Camera
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