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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 <<Operation & User Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Image Storage & Interface>> Page 9:Camera Modes & Menus Review First Posted: 08/16/2001

Camera Modes and Menus
The G2 has two Mode Dials on the camera's top panel. The top dial controls the Shooting modes, with five Creative Zone options -- Auto, Program AE, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual -- and six Image Zone options -- Pan Focus, Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Color, Stitch-Assist, and Movie (see descriptions under "Control Enumerations"). The bottom dial serves as the main power switch, with Shooting, Off, and Replay options. The Record menu is available in all Shooting modes, with variations in submenus depending on the exposure options. The Setup menu is accessed in either Shooting or Playback modes. The Play menu is available only in Replay mode.

Record Menu (Red): With the exception of the Auto exposure mode and most of the Image Zone exposure functions, the Record menu provides virtually the same options for all exposure modes. These menus are accessed by depressing the Menu button once while in a Shooting mode. Following are the available settings:

• Resolution: Sets the image size to (L) 2,272 x 1,704, (M1) 1,600 x 1,200, (M2)1,024 x 768, or (S) 640 x 480-pixel resolution (still images only). Movie resolution sizes are 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixels.
• Compression: Alters the JPEG compression ratio to Superfine, Fine, or Normal (still images only).
• File Format: Changes the file format for still images to JPEG or RAW.
• ISO Speed: Adjusts the camera's light sensitivity to Auto, 50, 100, 200, or 400 ISO film speed equivalents.
• Digital Zoom: Activates the digital zoom function, with the options On or Off.
• AF Mode: Sets the frequency of the autofocus mechanism. Single autofocus sets focus whenever the Shutter button is pressed halfway. Continuous autofocus adjusts the focus continuously.
• Light Metering: Sets the camera's exposure metering system to Spot or Center-Weighted.
• Spot AE Point: Establishes where the Spot metering system bases the exposure, either from the center of the frame or from one of the three autofocus area points.
• Continuous Shooting: Sets the Continuous Shooting mode to Normal or High Speed Continuous Shooting.
• Review: Establishes the Quick Review time duration, with options for 2 or 10 seconds. You can also disable the Review function.
• File No. Reset: Options are On and Off. When this function is turned on, file naming is reset with each new CompactFlash card that is inserted into the camera.
• Contrast: Adjusts the image contrast to Weak, Neutral, or Strong.
• Sharpness: Controls the amount of image sharpness to Weak, Neutral, or Strong.
• Saturation: Sets the amount of color saturation to Weak, Neutral, or Strong.
  

Setup Menu (Yellow): The Setup menu provides universal camera control options that remain the same in both Shooting and Replay modes, with the exception of shutter and speaker volume (see below). This menu is accessed by depressing the Menu button once and scrolling to the right with the Right Arrow button. Following are the available settings:

• Beep: Turns the camera's Beep sound On or Off.
• LCD Brightness: Adjusts the brightness level of the LCD monitor to Normal (small sun) or Bright (large sun).
• Shutter Volume (Shooting): Adjusts the volume of the shutter sound when an image is recorded. Volume options, which are selected by pressing the Left and Right Arrow keys, are on a scale of one to five, and Off.
• Playback Volume (Replay): Adjusts the playback volume for movie files, from one to five, or Off.
• Auto Power Down: Activates or deactivates the camera's automatic shutoff feature.
• Date / Time: Sets the camera's internal clock and calendar.
• Format: Formats the CompactFlash card, deleting all images saved on the card (even write-protected images).
• Language: Changes the G2's menu language to one of 12 language options.
• Video System: Sets the video output signal to NTSC or PAL.
  

Play Menu (Blue): This menu is only available in the Replay mode. It allows you to scroll through captured images; erase, protect, and rotate them; or set them up in a slide show or for printing on a DPOF compatible device. The Play menu offers the following selections:

• Protect: Write protects the currently displayed image from accidental deletion, except by card formatting.
• Rotate: Rotates captured images 90 to 270 degrees clockwise.
• Erase All: Erases all images from the CompactFlash card.
• Slide Show: Automatically plays images in a slide show format. You can choose to include all images on the card or one of three Program selections. You can also set the Play Time (amount of time between images) from 3 to 30 seconds or Manual; and turn the Repeat function on or off
• Print Order: Sets up images for printing on a DPOF compatible device. Options include Standard or Index prints, the number of copies, Date Stamp On or Off, and File Number On or Off.