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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 <<Viewfinder :(Previous) | (Next): Exposure & Flash>> Page 5:Optics Review First Posted: 08/16/2001

Optics
The G2 features a built-in, 3x, 7-21mm zoom lens (equivalent to a 34-102mm lens on a 35mm camera). When the camera is powered on, the lens telescopes out from the camera body into its operating position, then retracts again when the camera is shut off. A plastic lens cap protects the lens when not in use, and features a small tether to attach it to the camera body. Focus can be automatically or manually controlled, with a range of 2.3 feet (70cm) to infinity in Normal Focus mode. Macro mode features a focus range of 2.4 inches to 2.4 feet (6 to 70cm). The aperture adjusts automatically or manually, with an f/2-f/8 range, depending on the zoom setting.

Manual focus is activated by depressing the Manual Focus (MF) button on the left side of the camera. As it's held down, a distance indicator appears on the LCD monitor, providing a reference scale for focusing. The Up and Down arrows of the Four Way Arrow pad control the focus on the monitor. The focus distance is reported in meters and feet, or centimeters and inches, depending on the range. We loved the new digital enlargement feature that assists the manual focus operation. As soon as you press the Up or Down arrows to adjust focus (while holding down the MF button), an enlarged portion of the subject appears in the center of the LCD display, making it easier to determine exact focus.

When shooting in Autofocus mode, the G2 offers both Continuous and Single Autofocus functions. In Continuous mode, the camera is constantly adjusting focus, even when the Shutter button is not depressed halfway. In Single mode, the camera focuses only when the Shutter button is depressed halfway, which helps to conserve battery power. A Pan focus mode is also provided as a preset exposure on the Mode dial. It fixes the lens at the widest possible angle, allowing you to photograph at any distance (25.6 inches or 65cm to infinity), without having to refocus on close-up or faraway subjects. This mode is great for fast-paced action, when subjects are in constant motion.

New to the G2 is the ability to select one of three main focus areas. Pressing the Set button while in Program, Aperture-Priority, Shutter-Priority, or Manual Exposure modes displays three outline squares across the center of the LCD monitor. The Right and Left arrow keys allow you to select one of the three boxes, which when highlighted, turn from a white outline to green. The green box then becomes the primary focus area. Press the Set button again to eliminate the two boxes that are not highlighted, and the square turns white again. Once the focus point is set and the picture is framed, pressing the Shutter button halfway will turn the box green if the selected area is in focus and yellow if it's not. Through the Record menu, you can apply this same point selection option to the Spot Metering mode using the Spot AE Point submenu.

Digital Zoom is activated through the camera's Record menu and is controlled with the same controls as the optical zoom. The amount of zoom is reported in the top right corner of the LCD monitor, and can go as high as 3.6x depending on the image pixel size. Digital Zoom is not available when shooting with the G2's Movie mode, or when using the RAW file format. (It's important to note that digital zoom simply enlarges the center of the CCD image, resulting in some loss of image quality in the form of increased noise or reduced image sharpness.) The G2's digital zoom operates differently than that on the G1, and indeed, differently than that on most Canon digicams. The G1 and most other Canon digicams have a "digital telextender" function, in which the digital zoom kicks in in increments of 2x. (That is, it goes directly from no digital zoom to 2x digital zoom, with no fractional magnification values in between.) In contrast, the G2's digital zoom operates smoothly, producing a continuous zoom range up to 11x, working in cooperation with the 3x optical zoom lens.

Like the G1, the G2 accommodates several optional lens converters with a lens adapter kit, so you can extend your camera's telephoto capabilities with high-quality optics instead of software interpolation. Options include a wide-angle WC-DC58 conversion lens, which augments the lens focal length by a factor of 0.8; a teleconverter TC-DC58, which increases the lens' focal length by a factor of 1.5; and a close-up lens 250D, which brings the camera's focusing range down to 4.7-7.9 inches (12-20cm) in Macro mode. A small ring around the outside of the lens unscrews, revealing a threaded mount for the adapter kit.

Confused by Apertures and Depth of Field? - Do you know how to use "Front Focus" or "Back Focus" to get *all* your subject in focus? Visit our free Photo Lessons area and click on the lessons "Focusing Up Close" and "Selective Focusing Outside!"