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'sDigital 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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Interface & Software
