Canon PowerShot G5The next generation of Canon's popular "G" model updates the line with a larger, 5.0-megapixel CCD.(Next): Executive Overview>> Page 1:Intro and HighlightsReview First Posted: 08/18/2003 |
 | | 5.0-megapixel CCD for 2,592 x 1,944 pixel images |
| | 4x optical zoom lens, f/2.0-3.0 | |
| | Auto, Scene Program, Program, and Manual exposure modes | |
| | Unique tilt/swivel LCD panel | |
| |
EZ Print Link
Readers have requested free-formatted versions of our reviews (without
the graphical accouterments of our page design), to make printing easier. We
are accommodating this request with special copies of each review, formatted
to allow the text flow to be dictated by the browser window. Click here
for a print-optimized page.
Manufacturer Overview
| Free Photo Lessons | |
|
Next, Canon introduced the G3, staying with the proven four-megapixel chip first seen in the G2, but offering numerous feature and user interface enhancements (including a 4x zoom lens with a fast f/2.0 maximum aperture). The latest model, the G5, upholds the same great standards, though finally now with a five-megapixel CCD. User interface and camera features are virtually the same as the G3, although the G5 now sports an all-black body. Read on for all the details!
High Points
- 5.0-megapixel CCD delivering image resolutions as high as 2,592 x 1,944 pixels.
- Real-image optical viewfinder and 1.8-inch, color LCD monitor with swivel design.
- 4x optical zoom, 7.2-28.8mm f/2.0-3.0 lens (equivalent to a 35-140mm lens on a 35mm camera) with auto and manual focus.
- Continuously adjustable AF area, and focus bracketing mode.
- Digital telephoto as high as 4.1x.
- Full Automatic, Program AE, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual exposure modes, as well as three preset exposure modes, and two user-programmable modes.
- Manually adjustable aperture settings from f/2 to f/8, depending on zoom setting.
- Built-in neutral-density filter can be switched in via the shooting menu. (Equivalent to external ND 0.9 filter, 3-stop exposure cut.)
- Manually adjustable shutter speed settings from 1/2,000 to 15 seconds.
- Variable light sensitivity: Auto, 50, 100, 200, or 400 ISO equivalents.
- Evaluative, Center-Weighted Average and Spot metering modes, with an adjustable Spot area.
- Spot metering optionally tied to adjustable AF area.
- White Balance adjustment with nine settings, including two separate "custom" options.
- Built-in flash with nine operating modes, flash metering is TTL (through the lens).
- External flash hot shoe.
- Flash system supports full wireless capabilities of EOS speedlights, via optional Canon wireless transmitter.
- Flash system supports optional ringlight and Macro Twin Light accessory flash units.
- Continuous Shooting (normal and high-speed), Stitch-Assist, Auto Exposure Bracketing, and Movie recording modes.
- Contrast, Sharpness, and Saturation adjustment.
- Vivid Color, Neutral Color, Low Sharpening, B&W, and Sepia options.
- Remote control and utilities for operating the camera from a computer.
- JPEG and RAW still image file formats, movies saved as AVI / Motion JPEGs.
- Images saved to CompactFlash Type I or II memory cards.
- DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compatibility.
- USB cable for high-speed connection to a computer.
- Canon Digital Camera software included, as well as ArcSoft Camera Suite 2.0.
- Powered by Canon BP-511 rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, with AC adapter/in-camera charger included.
Changes from the Canon PowerShot G3
(And the G1 and G2, for historical reference)
As one of the most popular high-end "prosumer" digicams of the past year, many of our readers may already be quite familiar with the Canon PowerShot G2 and G3. The G5 is nearly identical to the G3, with a very similar body design and virtually identical controls. The few minor differences (apart from the larger sensor) are detailed below:
| |
G5 | G3 | |
|
| Body Improvements/Differences | (Similar to G3) | More angular handgrip for better finger-traction, Silver-colored metal body panels. Body is more rectangular, boxy-looking | |
gray metal cover |
| Startup screen, startup sound | (same) | yes/yes (Multiple options via "My Camera" menu) |
|
|
| Maximum Resolution | 5.04 (eff) | 3.87 MP (eff) | |
|
| Resolution Settings | 2,592 x 1,944, 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768 640 x 480 |
2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768 640 x 480 |
1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768 640 x 480 |
1024 x 768 640 x 480 |
| Filtration | RGB | RGB | |
|
| Lens | (same) | 4x 35-140mm equiv. F/2.0-3.0 |
3x 32-104mm equiv. F/2.0-2.8 |
3x 32-104mm equiv. F/2.0-2.8 |
| Minimum focusing distance | (sorry, neglected to test) | No spec from Canon yet, but it looks to be about 1.5 inches. | 2.4 inches | 2.4 inches |
| Slow shutter speed range | (same) | 15 sec | |
|
| High shutter speed and aperture combinations | (same) | 1/1250 - all apertures
1/2000 - f/4.0 and higher |
1/800 - f/3.5~f/5.0 to f/8 1/1000 - f/8 only |
f/8 only |
| Neutral Density Filter | (same) | 3-stop cut (equivalent to ND 0.9), set via record menu. | ---- | --- |
| Flash Operation | (same) | Internal: Total of 9 modes,
counting all combinations of on/off/auto and redeye plus slow sync options.
Supports EX-mode Speedlites, Ringlight, Macro Twin Flash, and Remote Transmitter |
Internal: 5 modes
Supports EX-mode Speedlites and Ringlight, |
Internal: 5 modes
Supports EX-mode Speedlites only |
| Signal processing speed | (same) | Considerably faster than G2, but don't have a specific spec for this. | |
|
| Signal processing bit depth | (same) | 12 bits/channel, through all image processing operations. | 10 bits/channel | 10 bits/channel |
| Noise reduction | Very good | Very good | |
|
| Battery Life | Excellent: About another 7% improvement over the G3. | Excellent: My measurements indicate roughly a 15% improvement in worst-case battery life over the G2. | 1000 images/LCD off 300 minutes/Playback |
800 images/LCD off 160 minutes/Playback |
| Focusing Points | (same) | "Infinite"- FlexiZone AF/AE allows positioning of the AF/AE area anywhere within about 60% of the frame area. | |
|
| Manual Focus | (same) | Focusing area magnified on LCD monitor, numerical distance values displayed | |
|
| Autofocus Bracketing | (same) | Focus bracketing option under the FUNC button snaps three shots with minor tweaks in focus setting between them. (First time I've seen this function on a camera.) | --- | --- |
| Metering Modes | (same) | Evaluative, Center-Weighted,
Center Spot, Off-Center Spot
G3 Incorporates Canon iSAPS scene-analysis technology for more accurate exposures under tricky lighting. |
|
|
| Manual exposure mode improvements | (same) | (Same as G2) | |
|
| Program Shift | (Sorry, neglected to check) | (?) (Didn't see this, need to check with Canon to see if it's there or not.) |
|
|
| Intervalometer Option | (same) | Shoot 2-100 shots, at intervals of 1 to 60 minutes | --- | --- |
| White Balance Modes | (same) | 8, including two separate Custom settings for manual adjustment to standard white card. | |
|
| Color Effects Mode | (same) | Yes (Now expanded to allow application of color effects (including B/W shooting) in any exposures mode. |
|
|
| Movie Mode options and durations | (same) | 320 x 240 — 180 sec.
160 x 120 — 180 sec. |
160 x 120 — 120 sec. |
|
| Continuous Shooting Speeds | Continuous High: 1.96 fps
Continuous: 1.39 fps |
Continuous High: 2.27 fps
Continuous: 1.46 fps |
Continuous: 1.04 fps |
|
| Startup time, shutter lag, etc. | Slower: Startup is 4.82 seconds, full-AF shutter lag is 1.04-1.17 sec | Much faster (4.2 seconds startup, 0.94 second full AF lag) |
(7.2 seconds startup, 1.3 second full AF lag) |
|
| Interval between frames in Single frame mode | 1.94 (Actual measurement, not Canon specs) |
1.88 (Actual measurement, not Canon specs) |
(Actual measurement, not Canon specs) |
(Actual measurement, not Canon specs) |
| Digital zoom function | (same) | True zoom up to 14x combined digital and optical | |
|
| Histogram display in Playback mode | (same) | Yes | |
|
| Image magnification during playback | (same) | Up to 10x, 10 steps | |
|
| Image erase modes | (same) | (Same as G2) | |
|
| RemoteCapture functions | (same) | (Same as G2) | |
|
| USB Mounter for Mac OS 9.0 ~ 9.1 | (same) | Provided. (Also supports PTP mode for Windows XP and Mac OS X connection with no driver software needed.) |
|
|
| Direct Print mode | Supports previous printers, as well as newer models CP-200, CP-300, i70, i470D, i450. (G3, G2 also forward-compatible with most new printers, although G2 needs firmware upgrade to support some.) | Yes - Also with CP-100, S830D and S530D Bubble Jet printers. | |
|
| Cropping in Direct Print mode | (same) | Yes | |
|
| Accessory Compatibility | (same) | New bayonet-mount lens adapter,
with wider range of wide, tele converters, now covering range of 24.5mm
to 245mm equivalents.
Support for both Macro Ring Light and Macro Twin Light units, as well as Remote Strobe Transmitter for wireless flash connection. |
Wide, tele converters extend range to ~28 to 150 mm |
|
| Supplied CF Card | 32MB | 32MB | |
|
| Control Changes | (same) | Top controls mirror EOS layout more closely. Command wheel makes its first appearance in a PowerShot. Mode dial and power switch separated, made easier to operate. Tabbed sub-menus for FUNC button greatly improve efficiency of user interface. | --- | --- |
| Position Sensor | (same) | Position sensor automatically tags EXIF header for image rotation on portrait-format shots. | --- | --- |
| Post-Exposure RAW file save | (same) | You can choose to save a RAW-mode file on the fly, by hitting the FUNC button during the review period. | --- | --- |
Follow Imaging Resource: