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Canon PowerShot G2 Canon updates their very popular G1 with a 4 megapixel CCD and improved color management. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet PowerShot G2 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 PowerShot G2 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Executive Overview :(Previous) | (Next): Viewfinder>> Page 3:Design Review First Posted: 08/16/2001

Design
Building upon the solid and sophisticated body design of the previously-released PowerShot G1, Canon has introduced very subtle improvements in the G2's overall body design. The slightly thicker body (approximately 0.7 inch) enables a much larger hand grip on the right side, while the champagne-toned, metal alloy casing gives the camera a warmer color tone. Measuring 4.7 x 2.4 x 3.2 inches (120 x 62 x 80mm) and weighing approximately 18 ounces (512 grams) with the battery and card, the G2 can fit into a very large coat pocket or purse, or it can be carried with the half-inch neck strap. For extended location shooting, we highly recommend investing in a small, padded camera case.

 

The G2's slightly convex front panel houses the lens, optical viewfinder window, built-in flash, autofocus assist light, microphone, and remote control sensor. The 3x zoom lens telescopes about an inch from the camera body when the G2 is powered on, and retracts when the camera is powered off. The lens is protected by a small plastic lens cap, tethered to the camera body with an attached cord. The microphone, which is barely visible next to the camera lens, records sound to accompany in-camera movies. A thick, rounded hand grip on the right side of the camera provides a more secure grip than the previous G1, giving your fingers a larger chunk of camera to wrap around.

On the right side of the camera is a sliding chamber door that accesses the CompactFlash slot, accommodating both Type I and II CompactFlash cards. At the top of the right side is an eyelet for attaching one end of the neck strap.

The left side of the camera has a Manual Focus button, a speaker for playing back recorded sound, and an A/V Out jack -- all in clear view. The USB and DC In jacks are covered by a soft rubber flap that pulls out from the camera and then pivots out of the way. At the top of the left panel is the other neck strap attachment eyelet.

The G2's top panel features a small status display window; an external flash hot shoe; a Main (lower) Power dial with three positions: Shooting (or Record), Off, and Replay (or Playback); a Mode (upper) dial, with shooting and exposure options; a Zoom Lever; a Shutter button; and a Continuous Drive / Self-Timer / Wireless Controller button. The status display panel is always appreciated, as it reports camera settings and other miscellaneous information, without the need for powering up the LCD monitor. Positioning the Mode dial on top of the Main power switch is an efficient configuration that is gaining popularity among many digicams lately. The only drawback we'd like to note is that both dials require a two-finger grip for turning, as they are much too hard to control with one finger or a thumb.

The majority of the exposure controls are located on the camera's back panel, along with the optical viewfinder and LCD monitor. The G2's eye-level optical viewfinder features a diopter adjustment switch on the left and two LEDs that report camera status. The swiveling LCD monitor pops out of the camera back and rotates 270 degrees when fully extended. You can fold it back into its storage compartment with the monitor facing outward or leave it extended and turn the screen to accommodate one of many different shooting angles. Finally, the monitor can be turned around and popped back into the panel face-down, protecting it from accidental scratches and fingerprints. An indented thumb grip, just to the left of the Four Way Arrow pad, provides counter support to the large hand grip on the front of the camera.

Other camera controls on the back panel include the Menu, Set, and Display buttons; a Spot Metering button; dual-function buttons for Macro / Jump modes, Multi-Function / Erase, and Flash / Index Control; and a four-function button for controlling Exposure Compensation / White Balance / Auto Exposure Bracketing / and Flash Exposure compensation. This last control is by far the most complicated of the group; however, each of its functions is related to exposure, and therefore uses the same -2 to +2 exposure equivalent (EV) bar to make its adjustments (with the exception of the white balance bar, which gives you a choice of eight light-quality options). The first function, Exposure Compensation, is activated with one press of the button; the White Balance is activated by pressing the button twice, and so on. And like many digicam models, the dual-function buttons perform their primary functions in Shooting mode and their secondary functions in Replay mode.

The G2's bottom panel is reasonably flat, with a sliding door to the battery compartment and a threaded metal tripod mount. The tripod mount is positioned off-center (to the left of the lens), most likely to allow clearance for the bottom of the lens mechanism. Because the battery door and tripod mount are so close to one another, it would be difficult to make quick battery changes while working with a tripod. However, the side-access of the DC In slot should remedy any power concerns when shooting in the studio.

Accompanying the camera is a small infrared Remote Control with a working range of up to 16.4 feet (5 meters). By activating the Continuous / Self-Timer / Wireless Controller button in Shooting mode, you can use the Remote to fire the shutter, adjust the optical zoom, or scroll through the LCD display screens without coming in contact with the camera body. This works well with the rotating LCD monitor, because you can mount the camera on a tripod and compose the subject while standing in front of the camera. The Remote also offers several playback functions, which are useful when viewing images on a television screen. The Index display and Replay zoom buttons on the bottom of the Remote Control enable you to view up to nine thumbnail images at a time, or enlarge one captured image on the LCD monitor. The four arrow buttons on the Remote give you the same capabilities as the Four Way Arrow pad on the back of the camera, permitting you to scroll through stored images or maneuver within a larger one. Depressing the Remote's Shutter button while in Replay mode lets you play movie files on the camera's monitor or a television. We were glad to see the inclusion of this simple gadget as a standard feature, especially with the G2's video capabilities, which allow the camera to be used as a presentation tool.