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Canon PowerShot Pro1 New level of sophistication takes over the top spot in the PowerShot line. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet Pro1 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on Pro1 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 10:Image Storage & Interface Review First Posted: 05/14/2004

Image Storage and Interface

The Pro1 uses CompactFlash memory cards for image storage, accommodating both Type I and II card sizes. This means that the camera is also able to store images to an IBM MicroDrive for increased storage capacity. It also supports FAT32 cards for handling cards above 2GB in size. A 64MB CompactFlash Type I memory card is supplied with the camera. Entire CompactFlash cards cannot be write-protected; however, the Pro1's Play menu allows you to write-protect individual image files, protecting them from accidental erasure, unless the card is formatted.

Still images can be saved at one of five resolutions (3,264 x 2448, 2,272 x 1,704; 1,600 x 1,200; 1,024 x 768; or 640 x 480 pixels), while movies are recorded at either 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixels. Still images also have three JPEG compression levels available: Superfine, Fine, and Normal, plus a RAW setting that records the image straight from the CCD, without any processing. The benefit of the RAW data file format is that it compresses the image file without any loss in image quality (that is, the compression can be completely reversed) and the color isn't adjusted to match any particular file format, such as RGB TIFF. All of the image color parameters are kept in their original state. (RAW images require the Canon Zoom Browser software for processing on a computer.)

Following are the approximate resolution / quality and compression ratios for a 64MB card (compression numbers are based on our own computations):

Image Capacity vs Resolution/Quality		Fine	Standard	Basic	RAW Format
High Resolution 3264 x 2448	Images (Size)	18 3.6 MB	30 2.1 MB	62 1MB	6 9.5 MB
	Approx. Compression	7:1	11:1	23:1	3:1 (lossless)
Medium 1 Resolution 2272 x 1704	Images (Size)	30 2.0 MB	55 1.2 MB	109 582 KB	-
	Approx. Compression	6:1	10:1	20:1	-
Medium 2 Resolution 1200 x 600	Images (Size)	61 1.0 MB	109 582 KB	217 295 KB	-
	Approx. Compression	5:1	10:1	20:1	-
Low Resolution 1024 x 768	Images (Size)	106 270 KB	190 164 KB	339 98 KB	-
	Approx. Compression	3.9:1	7.0:1	12.5:1	-
VGA Resolution 640 x 480	Images (Size)	236 270 KB	390 164 KB	651 98 KB	-
	Approx. Compression	3.4:1	5.6:1	9.4:1	-

A full complement of interface software comes with the Pro1, as does a USB cable for speedy connection to a PC or Macintosh computer. The Pro1 supports "PTP" image transfer mode, which means you can connect it to a computer running Windows XP or Mac OS X without the need for additional driver software. (Drivers are included for other flavors of Windows and Mac OS though, so no worries if your computer is running an older OS.) I measured the Pro1's transfer rate on my Sony Vaio desktop computer (2.4 GHz Pentium, Windows XP), and clocked it at 530 KB/second using the Windows XP photo download wizard. While not bad, this isn't an especially impressive number, particularly now that many new digicams are coming with high-speed USB 2.0 interfaces, which can transfer data at rates of a couple of megabytes/second.

Direct Print
Besides the USB computer connection, the Pro1 also supports direct printing (no computer needed) to a number of Canon printers. The Pro1 supports both the new PictBridge protocol for printing to non-Canon printers, as well as Canon's own Direct Print standard. Direct Print-compatible printers from Canon range from tiny, dye-sub units that print only 4x6 photos, up to large, sophisticated (and fast) high-end inkjet models capable of 8x10 and larger output sizes. Canon was an early leader in offering Direct Print functionality with their cameras, and continues to strongly support the technology.

Lost Images? - Download this image-recovery program so you'll have it when you need it...
Since we're talking about memory and image storage, this would be a good time to mention the following: I get a ton of email from readers who've lost photos due to a corrupted memory card. It's tragic when it happens, there are few things more precious than photo memories. Corrupted memory cards can happen with any card type and any camera manufacturer, nobody's immune. "Stuff happens," as they say. A surprising number of "lost" images can be recovered with an inexpensive, easy to use piece of software though. Given the amount of email I've gotten on the topic, I now include this paragraph in all my digicam reviews. The program you need is called PhotoRescue, by DataRescue SA. Read our review of it if you'd like, but download the program now, so you'll have it. It doesn't cost a penny until you need it, and even then it's only $29, with a money back guarantee. So download PhotoRescue for Windows or PhotoRescue for Mac while you're thinking of it. (While you're at it, download the PDF manual and quickstart guide as well.) Stash the file in a safe place and it'll be there when you need it. Trust me, needing this is not a matter of if, but when... PhotoRescue is about the best and easiest tool for recovering digital photos I've seen. (Disclosure: IR gets a small commission from sales of the product, but I'd highly recommend the program even if we didn't.) OK, now back to our regularly scheduled review...