Canon PowerShot G11 review

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The Canon PowerShot G series has been satisfying demanding photo enthusiasts for a number of years and the Canon PowerShot G11 is the most recent edition of the flagship line. Rather uncharacteristically but admirably, some of the biggest news regarding the new device revolves around returning to features of previous models that, with the test of time, have proven to have been good design ideas that were unfortunately abandoned.

Features:

The Canon PowerShot G6 featured an articulated viewing screen which was handy for taking photographs at angles other than straight on. The folks at Canon have realized what a good idea it was and have brought it back. It swings out 170-degrees horizontally and can be rotated through 270-degrees vertically to accommodate a wide variety of shooting angles. It measures 2.8-inches diagonally which is actually just a bit smaller than the 3.0-inch display of the predecessor G10 but it contains the same 460k resolution so images seem even crisper and more detailed. In addition to the viewing screen, the PowerShot G11 is the only such shooter available that actually has an optical viewfinder recognizing that this is often a more precise tool for framing pictures than an LCD screen.

The other big news associated with the G11 seems, superficially, to be a step backwards but it results in an improvement in performance. Whereas the G10 featured a whopping 14.7-megapixel sensor, the G11 has dropped back to 10-megapixels. The change is, in fact, recognition that all the hoopla about ever increasing megapixel quantities has been driven more by PR departments than it has by technical necessity. The reduction is part of Canon’s efforts to provide better low-light performance and less noise than the G10 and it seems to work. Despite the MP rating being the same as the much older G7, other improvements including a much more advanced chip, allow the G11 to produce higher sensitivities and overall better results thanks in large measure to the DIGIC 4 Image Processor.

The PowerShot G11 allows for RAW shooting and image recording without JPEG compression of any sort giving a degree of creative control that is often not available. There’s also a broad spectrum of shooting modes including Auto, Program, portrait, landscape and quick shot. Aperture or shutter priority can be selected or both can be left manual for the ultimate in control. Special scene modes include Night Snapshot, Sunset, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Sports, Fireworks, Beach, Aquarium, Snow and others. Both RAW images and JPEG images can be recorded simultaneously for maximum editing flexibility.

The Canon G11 has a wide angle lens that is equivalent to a 28mm optical lens and, with 5x optical zoom, can produce telephoto images up to the equivalent of 140mm. Optical image stabilization is available throughout the focal spectrum for blur free images.

There is an HDMI output on the camera which allows for viewing still images on an HDTV. That is not, however, to imply that the PowerShot G11 will shoot HD video. Indeed that’s among the chief criticisms of this otherwise up-to-date camera. It will shoot video but only in VGA format so don’t be tricked into thinking that it shoots HD or even wide angle. That’s a pretty major omission at this stage of the game.

The Canon PowerShot G11 features ISO sensitivity from 80 to 3200 as well as a host of portrait aids such as blink detection, motion detection, face detection and face detection self-timer to allow the photographer to get in the shot, and red eye correction.

Summary:

The Canon PowerShot G11 is a fitting next step in the evolution of the popular and highly competent G series of cameras. Combining the newest electronic advances with some out-of-the-box thinking about previously discarded features provides for a camera that will be a great choice for a wide variety of photo enthusiasts as well as those who want an outstanding back-up to their dSLR camera.

Specifications

LCD Panel Size:	2.8 in.
Resolution:	10.4 Megapixel
Digital Zoom:	4x
Focal Length:	6.1 - 30.5 mm
Main Features-Continuous Shooting Speed:	1.1 frames per second, 0.7 frames per second
Additional Features-Self Timer Delay:	2 sec, 10 sec, Custom
Battery-Required:	1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included)
Width:	4.41 in.
Height:	3.0 in
Depth:	1.9 in.
Weight:	12.5 oz.
Memory / Storage-Supported Flash Memory:	SD/SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus
Optical Zoom:	5x
Manufacturer Warranty-Full contract period:	1 year limited warranty
Lens Systems-Lens Aperture:	f/2.8 (W) - f/4.5 (T)
Built-in Memory Size:	None
Main Features-Image Stabilizer:	Optical
Display-Resolution:	461,000 pixels
Lens Systems-Macro Focus Range:	0.4 in.-1.6 ft./1-50cm
Main Features-Max Shutter Speed:	1/4000 sec
Main Features-Min Shutter Speed:	15 sec
Lens Systems-Min Focus Range:	19.2 in.
Camera Flash-Red Eye Reduction:	Yes

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 DMC G1 review

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Pros
This camera is small and lightweight.

Cons
This camera has a poor battery life and is poor in low light situations.

The Verdict
This camera is designed for someone who wants an advanced camera but not a dSLR.

The Panasonic LUMIX G1 breaks new ground in digital cameras. Traditionally there have been 2 types of digital cameras: point and shoot and digital SLRs. Panasonic has taken the best of both worlds and combined them into one with their G1.

The LUMIX G1 features an interchangeable lens system, a first for non SLR digital cameras. Unlike digital SLRs, the G1 does not have a mirror box and relies solely on the full-time live view function.

Features

The Panasonic LUMIX G1 features an interchangeable lens system. This allows the user to select the lens that is best for any given application. Instead of being limited by a set zoom, you can simply put on a longer zoom lens to capture subjects that are farther away. Or you can put on a fish eye lens to capture images that are too close for standard lenses.

The G1 relies on a full-time Live View. This allows the use to see exactly how different settings will affect the photo before it is taken. You can either view the images on the large 3 inch LCD screen or use the viewfinder. Either way, the image you see is the same.

Panasonic has incorporated an intelligent auto system feature on the LUMIX G1. This mode activates 6 detection and compensation functions that work automatically. They are:

1. Shake detection - MEGA O.I.S.: Helps prevent blurring when the camera shakes.
2. Motion detection - Intelligent ISO Control: Helps prevent blur caused by subject motion.
3. Light detection - Intelligent Exposure: Adjusts the brightness of dark areas in the image.
4. Advanced Face Detection and Face Detection AF/AE: Helps deliver clear portraits.
5. Scene detection - Intelligent Scene Selector: Selects the optimal scene mode for the situation.
6. Subject detection - AF Tracking: AF Tracking follows moving subjects and adjusts accordingly.

The large 3 inch LCD screen makes it easy to review the photos you have taken. The screen can even rotate 180 degrees horizontally and 270 degrees vertically. This makes it easier to take pictures from extreme angles such as holding the camera above your head.

Expert Reviews

Experts liked the advanced feature set on the G1. The camera took excellent quality photos and the menu system was relatively easy to navigate. The electronic viewfinder will either make or break this camera. Some people will like while others will not.

User Reviews

Consumers were impressed by the G1’s ease of use. It was quick and responsive. The ability to control settings manually was also a nice feature for those who don’t want to always rely on the automated settings.

Summary
Panasonic is blazing new territory with their LUMIX G1. This camera is ideal for the user who doesn’t want a dSLR but still demands top notch performance.

Buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 from Amazon

Additional Features-Self Timer Delay:	10 sec
Resolution:	12.1 megapixels
Main Features-Optical Sensor Size:	1/2 in
LCD Panel Size:	3 in.
Battery-Required:	1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery - 1050 mAh ( Included)
Main Features-Image Stabilizer:	Optical (Super Steady Shot)
Lens Systems-Macro Focus Range:	0.1-1.0m
Optical Zoom:	11.1 x
Main Features-Continuous Shooting Speed:	3 frames per second, 4 frames per second
Focal Length:	Varies With Lens
Main Features-Max Shutter Speed:	1/6000 sec
Main Features-Min Shutter Speed:	60 sec
Manufacturer Warranty-Full contract period:	1 Year
Camera Flash-Red Eye Reduction:	Yes

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• Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 is slimmest digital camera with 20x optical zoom lens (coolest-gadgets.com)

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Standard Digital Camera Review

Monday, February 13, 2012

Why Buy a Standard Digital Camera?

Standard digital cameras are great for the casual photographer or the first-time buyer. These cameras include most of the function of other point-and-shoot cameras, but they are usually less expensive because they typically have less megapixels, lack stylish design, and are missing a few advanced features. Standard digital cameras will usually have a longer shutter lag, less ISO settings and fewer file format options.

First-time buyers find standard digital cameras easier to use, and they are able to learn about digital photography before investing in an expensive camera. A casual photographer would typically use their camera only for special occasions like holidays, birthdays, vacations or weddings. For a device you won’t be using that often, there is no reason to buy the most expensive camera on the shelf.

Standard Digital Cameras: What to Look For

Standard digital cameras are basic run-of-the-mill cameras that are great for beginners. They are usually cheaper than their slimmer and better looking brothers, but often include the same functionality. When shopping for a standard digital camera ask yourself how much power you really need. Standard digital cameras may not be the work horses that compacts or professional digital SLR cameras are, but for the casual user they will usually get the job done.

This is the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate standard digital cameras:

Resolution

Resolution is measured in megapixels. Usually the more megapixels a camera has the better the photo quality. This plays an especially important role if you plan to enlarge your photographs. However, six or seven megapixels is more than enough for that standard digital.

Optical Zoom

Optical zoom works on digital cameras the same way zoom works on 35mm film cameras, the higher the optical zoom the farther away from the subject you can be and still achieve a clear picture. A standard digital camera should have a minimum of 3x optical zoom; however, ten plus optical zoom is quickly becoming common.

Image Stabilizer

In the past digital cameras were sensitive to shaky hands and would often cause blurring. A digital camera with an image stabilizer compensates for minimal shakiness and should keep photos crisp.

Camera Weight

Even though Standard Digital Cameras are usually bigger cameras no one wants to lug around a large heavy camera to the kid’s little league games. Standard Digital Cameras should be light enough to carry around with being a nuisance.

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