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Canon PowerShot G7

Reviewed December 2006

Interface & Software

Introduction
Ergonomics
Characteristics
Image Quality
Interface & Software
Camera Views
Test Photos
Specifications
Our Opinion

 

Interface

 

While the G7 is different from its predecessor in appearance and features, its interface is resolutely Canon, and looks much like those of a number of other Canon cameras. In the capture modes, the information displayed superimposed on the monitor can be selected in the REC. menu, using the Custom Display option. The DISPLAY button cycles through 3 modes: two that can show either the same or different levels of information, and one that turns off the monitor to conserve power when the optical viewfinder is used. Using the Custom Display option, the shooting info can be shown, as can grid lines, or a 3:2 guide that places grey bars at the top and bottom of the monitor to show the actual image area that will be printed, or a histogram; a very flexible system.

The rest of the interface of the G7 consists of the Function menu, displayed by pressing the FUNC. SET button in the middle of the Control Dial, or the multi-part menu, shown by pressing the MENU button. The Function menu contains the most commonly needed settings, and appears superimposed on the image coming from the lens, making it practical when the change in settings immediately impacts the way the image looks, as is the case with changes to the white balance. The REC and Playback menus, on the other hand, take over the monitor, and are presented on a solid background, which makes each of their options stand out clearly.

The Setup menu, which contains basic configuration options, is available through a tab that appears in both main camera modes, recording and playback:

  • Mute: On or Off. Controls all sounds produced by the camera.
  • Volume provides independent adjustment for:
    • Start-up Volume.
    • Operation Volume.
    • Self-timer Volume.
    • Shutter Volume.
    • Playback Volume.
  • Audio has three sub-options:
    • Mic Level: Auto or Manual. Set the way the microphone is adjusted.
    • Level: serves to adjust the sensitivity of the microphone (-40 dB to 0 dB).
    • Wind Filter: On or Off. Reduces wind noise.
  • LCD Brightness: controls the brightness of the LCD monitor over ± 7 levels.
  • Power Saving mode offers two options:
    • Auto Power Down: On or Off.
    • Display Off: 10, 20, 30 seconds, or 1, 2, or 3 minutes.
  • Time Zone: serves to set a Home time and a World time when travelling.
  • Date/Time: sets the date, time and date format, and whether Daylight Savings is applicable.
  • Clock Display: decides how long the camera displays the clock on the LCD monitor: 10, 20 or 30 seconds, or 1, 2 or 3 minutes.
  • Format: formats the SD card. A Low-Level Format option is also available.
  • File Numbering has two options: Continuous or Auto Reset. Decides whether images are numbered incrementally, or reset to 1 when new cards are used or an existing card is formatted.
  • Create Folder provides two sub-options:
    • Create New Folder: On or Off.
    • Auto Create: creates a new folder at a specified time, or daily, or Monday- Sunday, or Monthly, or Off.
  • Auto Rotate: On or Off. Decides whether vertically shot images are rotated automatically on playback.
  • Distance Units: Determines the distance units used during manual focusing (feet or meters).
  • Lens Retract: decides whether the lens retracts instantly when the camera is switched to the playback mode, or in 1 minute.
  • Language: 25 languages are available.
  • Video System: Selects the video output signal to be either NTSC or PAL.
  • Print Method: Auto (the camera detects the printer type, or PictBridge.
  • Reset All: returns settings to defaults.
A small-size printed manual is included with the G7. The manual is well organized and presents information clearly. All aspects of the G7's operations are covered and the text is easy to follow and understand. Canon also includes a manual dedicated to printing and a thin manual called the Basic Camera User's Guide that serves as an introduction to the most basic functions and operation of the G7 as well as its buttons and dials. Finally, a printed manual for the software is also included.

 

Software

 

In North America a single CD is bundled with the PowerShot G7. The disc, called Canon's Digital Camera Solution Disk (version 29.0) contains programs for both Microsoft Windows and Macintosh:

  • Windows:
    • ZoomBrowser EX 5.7
    • PhotoStitch 3.1
    • Camera Twain Driver 6.6
    • Camera WIA Driver 6.4
    • EOS Utility 1.0
  • Macintosh:
    • ImageBrowser 5.7
    • PhotoStitch 3.1
    • EOS Utility 1.0
ZoomBrowser is the mainstay of the programs Canon supplies, and it serves to view, modify, and export images or videos. Images can be retrieved from the camera, seen directly on the camera when the G7 is connected to the computer, or retrieved from a hard drive, or a memory card in a reader. Photos can be corrected for red-eye, adjusted for brightness, saturation, contrast, cropped or forwarded for editing to another program. In addition, images can be exported as backgrounds, or screen-savers, and can be printed or prepared for e-mail.

Photos are displayed on the right side window pane, while the program functions and the folders are displayed below. The EXIF data of each image can be displayed and listed in a new window.

EOS Utility is a program that can be called up by ZoomBrowser, run separately, or even started automatically when the camera is connected to the computer. EOS Utility is included with all current Canon digital cameras, and serves to:

  • Start the download of Images, or select images for download,
  • Access camera settings and do remote shooting,
  • Monitor a folder into which images are imported.

When used for remote capture, EOS Utility opens up a sub-program called Camera Window, which serves to upload images/sounds to the camera, replacing those of in the "My Camera" section of the menu, or remotely control and shoot the camera (screen capture at right).

Remote Capture Task provides full, detailed control over the camera, including zoom, focus point, flash, etc., and all shooting modes.

PhotoStitch 3.1 is included as well. Designed to create seamless panoramic images using series of photos captured with the Stitch Assist mode of the G7.

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Introduction
Ergonomics
Characteristics
Image Quality
Interface & Software
Camera Views
Test Photos
Specifications
Our Opinion



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