CANON PowerShot G10: small powerhouse

Author's Rating:

Pros: Resolution, solid build, wide angle lens, processing speed, RAW files, Ev and ISO dial, ergonomics

Cons: Noise, chromatic abberation (corners), typical P&S limitations, expensive

The Bottom Line: 
More powerful than most P&S and a worthy camera when portability rules.

Author's Review
My arsenal recently found a semi-professional addition in the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and while that's currently my workhorse and warranty for high quality pictures, there are situations when the size of that camera is simply limiting or inconvenient. Until now the SD800 filled in and allowed photos when normally no camera would have been "schlepped" around. Limitations in quality and speed prompted an upgrade for that camera too, and Canon currently offers a tempting choice with the G10, the successor of the acclaimed G9.

IN A NUTSHELL

Let's be honest, 14.7 MPx in such a small sensor (1/1.71" diagonal, 3:2 ratio) translates into roughly 35 MPx/cm2 and while that's by no means record breaking (unlike the SD780 for instance with 45 MPx/cm2), it's about 15x the density of my EOS5D and still 10x the density of the 40D. That means it's only 1/15 of the light available per sensor cell, compromises in noise performance and sharpness are physically guaranteed. Granted this comparison is wrong in many ways as the scope of each camera couldn't be more different, but it also highlights how even one of the best P&S cameras in the current market is no match to an entry level dSLR (even if the MPx rating may suggest otherwise).

Nevertheless, the G10 offers a lot of features for its class. Most notably are improvements from the new lens and the DiG!C4 processor. Namely an actual wide angle (28mm equivalent) and much faster focus and processing speed along with the new servo AF mode (for this camera). With enough light, the picture quality is very reasonable even from a dSLR perspective and very respectable for the P&S class. As available light drops and ISO increases, the noise eventually takes over and renders photos unsatisfactory. (Also due to lens limitations and compression in JPEG mode.)

- CCD sensor w/ 14.7 Mpx
- RAW recording (supported by Canon's DPP software)
- High ISO Auto, Auto ISO shift
- Optical Image Stabilizer, Motion Detection Technology and
- 5x wide-angle (28mm) zoom lens with IS (both optical)
- DIGIC 4 processor (faster AF, including Servo)
- Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB plus Face Select & Track and Face Self-Timer
- New 3.0” LCD (halfVGA), wide viewing angle
- i-Contrast boosts brightness and retains detail in dark areas
- Quick access via dials for Exposure Compensation and ISO
- Manual control and custom settings
- 30fps VGA movies
- 1050 mAh battery


DETAILS

Ergonomics: [***--] Size is the main limitation and a small camera generally a problem for large hands. The G10 isn't the tiniest camera but both handle and controls are relatively small and demanding effort in general use. The new textured grip helps out to keep the camera secure, but the shutter button is still tiny and uncomfortable with no place for the finger to rest. Nevertheless by P&S standards, the G10 is exceptionally ergonomic. The 350g weight also help to keep the device planted in your hand and somewhat stabilize the camera.

Picture Quality: [****-] With all conditions perfect (i.e. lots of light), the quality is almost surprisingly good considering the sensor size and lens (no L grade). As any tiny integrated zoom lens, the G10 also has significant problems controlling chromatic abberation -- probably more so than the best of the line. The resulting color fringes can be quite visible (and require RAW capture and treatment in DPP to remove effectively). The dynamic range is remarkable relative to the photo cells size, but still more prone to clipping as the small sensor cells don't have the range of their larger "siblings" (in dSLRs).

Speed: [***--] While the DiG!C4 processor allows for speed improvements regarding image processing and focussing, the numbers don't lie. Startup of 1 sec and a continuous shooting rate of 0.7pics/sec certainly give it away that this P&S is no speed deamon either -- as expected. Shutterlag can be up to just under one second and that's no recommendation for action shots either, but the average of just under 0.5 sec is much better than the G9 and especially than my old SD800.

Flash: [****-] The integrated flash meets basic requirements and an external flash can be added via standard hotshoe. This is a great option as virtually any integrated flash is doomed and external devices much more capable (position, power). I put my Speedlite 580EX-II on the G10 and what looks like an odd couple also feels like one as it becomes very top heavy. However, photo results may be worth the hassle, even if that renders the size advantage to a dSLR somewhat invalid. The G10 appears to provide basic flash functionality only (no ETTL-II) and the slightly smaller 430EX may be a more reasonable choice (price).

Exposure: [****-] Light and ultimately exposure are the technical essence of any photo. The G10 is loaded with helpers to get the novice much closer to proper exposure than normally expected. A new feature is the so-called i-Contrast which treats highlights to maximize the dynamic range and with it make colors "pop". This seems to be the revers from the Lighting Optimizer which typically tries to render more details in the shadows. The maximum aperture is variable from f2.8(wide) to f/4.5(tele) and especially the latter is guaranteed to drive the need for higher ISO in medium to low light situations, which is manageable up to ISO 400, where compromises become visible in the form of excessive noise and/or aggressive noise reduction (blur = detail loss). Hence a tripod is highly recommended to keep the ISO below 400 (despite the maximum setting of ISO1600) to keep picture quality reasonable. Obviously that only works for static objects.

Advanced Features: [*****] This is the major point for the G10 that it provides much of the functionality of an SLR without the heft. Canon certainly allows much control including full manual setup and exposure compensation for those cases when the sensor has been tricked by the lighting conditions. It's right on an easy to access dial. RAW capture is an exotic feature for P&S cameras but welcome nevertheless for the flexibility of adjusting white balance and for more detailed processing. Lens based Image Stabilization has become Canon's standard solution to reduce the effect of camera movement, and for an integrated system there is no major difference to a moving sensor except that theoretically the moving the much lighter lens element over smaller increments has potentially better performance.

Video: [***--] Like most P&S cameras, the G10 is able to capture 30fps video clips, which are especially easy to share via the internet. Processor limitation or simply market decisions may have driven the removal of a HD mode, but the VGA and half-VGA modes produce a sharp picture within the format's capabilities. Neither quality nor ease-of-use replace an actual video camera (like Canon's own HF11), but it great for those occasions you otherwise would have missed (and that's my main reason for the G10 anyway.)

Value: [****-] This is a dicey one as the $449 are directly competing with entry level dSLR (like the EOS 1000), and picture quality certainly can't compete from ISO 400 on up. However, it's in that much smaller form factor which no dSLR can compete with. So it's not absolute value to me, but usability that makes the G10 special. The packed functionality and overall build quality, on the other hand, are reflected in the price. Not a bargain, but a good alternative.

© 2009, theuerkorn


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