DESCRIPTION

The G7 came as something of a surprise to many who had written off the G series of high end PowerShots when the G6 (launched 2004) wasn't updated last year. The G series has a long and distinguished history at the top of Canon's PowerShot range, offering SLR-like functionality in a solid, compact body and high-end features such as fast lenses and external flash capabilities. The G7 continues the tradition, adding all Canon's latest gizmos (including the new Digic III processor, face detection and image stabilization), though since its announcement there has been heated discussion about some of Canon's decisions - particularly the loss of raw mode and the slower lens. So let's find out if the new model is a worthy successor to the G6, or if Canon really has - as some users feel - squandered the legacy of one of the most acclaimed cameras in the short history of digital photography.

TECHNICAL DETAILS 

• 10.0 Megapixels
• 6x optical zoom lens with optical Image Stabilizer and SR coating
• DIGIC III and iSAPS with Advanced Noise Reduction and Face Detection AF/AE
• 2.5" high-resolution LCD with wide viewing angle and anti-glare coating
• ISO 1600 for flash-free, low light shooting
• Ergonomic design with dedicated ISO and Multi Control dials for fast, easy operation
• 25 shooting modes including full manual control and 2 custom settings
• Extra telephoto reach with Digital Tele-Converter and Safety Zoom
• Hot shoe support for Canon Speedlite flashes and optional lens accessories

FEATURES

Format Compact

Price (street) US$499

Also known as Release Status Click for help

Max resolution 3648 x 2736 Click for help

Low resolution 2816 x 2112, 2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480 Click for help

Image ratio w:h 4:3, 3:2 Click for help

Effective pixels 10.0 million Click for help

Sensor photo detectors 10.3 million Click for help

Sensor size 1/1.8 " (7.18 x 5.32 mm) Click for help

Sensor type CCD Click for help

Colour filter array RGB Click for help

Sensor manufacturer Unknown Click for help

ISO rating Auto, 80 ,100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Click for help

Zoom wide (W) 35 mm Click for help

Zoom tele (T) 210 mm (6 x) Click for help

Digital zoom Yes, 4.0x Click for help

Image stabilization Yes, Lens Click for help

Auto Focus Yes Click for help

Manual Focus Yes Click for help

Auto focus type AiAF TTL 9-point (with face detection) Click for help

Normal focus range 50 cm Click for help

Macro focus range 1 cm Click for help

White balance override 6 positions & manual preset Click for help

Aperture range F2.8 - F4.8 Click for help

Min shutter 15 sec Click for help

Max shutter 1/2500 sec

Built-in Flash Yes

Flash guide no. 4.0 m (13.1 ft) 0 m

External flash Yes, hot-shoe

Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Click for help

Exposure compensation -2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV steps Click for help

Metering Evaluative, Center Weighted, Spot Click for help

Aperture priority Yes Click for help

Shutter priority Yes Click for help

Focal length multiplier

Lens thread Yes, optional adapter Click for help

Continuous Drive Yes, 2.0 fps

Movie Clips Yes, 1024 x 768 @ 15 fps, 640 x 480 @ 30/15 fps, 320 x 240 @ 30/15 fps, 160 x 120 @ 15 fps

Remote control Unknown

Self-timer Yes Click for help

Timelapse recording Unknown

Orientation sensor Yes Click for help

Storage types SD/MMC card Click for help

Storage included 32 MB SD card Click for help

Uncompressed format No Click for help

Compressed format JPEG (EXIF 2.2) Click for help

Quality Levels Super-Fine Fine, Normal Click for help

Viewfinder Optical Click for help LCD 2.5 " Click for help

LCD Pixels 207,000 Click for help

Video out Yes Click for help USB Yes, 2.0 Click for help

Firewire (IEEE 1394) No Click for help

Battery / Charger Yes Click for help

Battery Canon Lithium-Ion & charger

Weight (inc. batteries) 380 g (13.4 oz)

Dimensions 106 x 72 x 43 mm (4.2 x 2.8 x 1.7 in)

Notes Resolution Chart

Colour Patches