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Canon PowerShot G3 The third generation of Canon's popular G model retains last year's 4 megapixel CCD, but brings a 4X zoom lens and a host of other improvements. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet G3 Photo Gallery! G3 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 G3 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 10:Image Storage & Interface Review First Posted: 9/16/2002

Image Storage and Interface

The G3 uses CompactFlash memory cards for image storage, accommodating both Type I and II card sizes. This means that the camera is also able to store images to an IBM MicroDrive for increased storage capacity. A 32MB CompactFlash Type I memory card is supplied with the camera. Entire CompactFlash cards cannot be write-protected, however, the G3's Play menu allows you to write-protect individual image files, protecting them from accidental erasure, unless the card is formatted.

Still images can be saved at one of four resolutions (2,272 x 1,704, 1,600 x 1,200, 1,024 x 768, or 640 x 480 pixels), while movies are recorded at either 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixels. Still images also have three JPEG compression levels available: Superfine, Fine, and Normal, plus a RAW setting that records the image straight from the CCD, without any processing. The benefit of the RAW data file format is that it compresses the image file without any loss in image quality (that is, the compression can be completely reversed) and the color isn't adjusted to match any particular file format, such as RGB TIFF. All of the image color parameters are kept in their original state. (RAW images require the Canon Zoom Browser software for processing on a computer.)

Following are the approximate resolution / quality and compression ratios for a 32MB card (compression numbers are based on our own computations):

Image Capacity vs Resolution/Quality		Fine	Standard	Basic	RAW Format
High Resolution 2274 x 1704	Images (Size)	15 2.0 MB	28 1.1 MB	11 566 KB	8 3.9 MB
	Approx. Compression	6:1	10:1	20:1	3:1 (lossless)
Medium 1 Resolution 1600 x 1200	Images (Size)	31 1.0 MB	56 570 KB	110 289 KB	-
	Approx. Compression	6:1	10:1	20:1	-
Medium 2 Resolution 1024 x 768	Images (Size)	54 583 KB	97 329 KB	177 181 KB	-
	Approx. Compression	4:1	7:1	13:1	-
Low Resolution 640 x 480	Images (Size)	122 261 KB	199 161 KB	346 92 KB	-
	Approx. Compression	3.5:1	5.7:1	10:1	-

A full complement of interface software comes with the G3, as does a USB cable for speedy connection to a PC or Macintosh computer. The G3 supports "PTP" image transfer mode, which means you can connect it to a computer running Windows XP or Mac OS X without the need for additional driver software. (Drivers are included for other flavors of Windows and Mac OS though, so no worries if your computer is running an older OS.) Data transfer over the USB connection is quite fast: I clocked the G3 at a transfer rate of 559 KB/sec on my 867 MHz Power Mac G4. - This is about as fast as USB 1 devices get.

Direct Print
Besides the USB computer connection, the G3 also supports direct printing (no computer needed) to a number of Canon printers. Models that can be directly connected to the G3 include the compact Card Photo Printer models CP-10 and CP-100, as well as the S830D and S530D Bubble Jet (inkjet) printers. The two Bubble Jet printers support the EXIF 2.2 standard, which takes advantage of special "metadata" stored in the JPEG file header to optimize print.

 

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Since we're talking about memory and image storage, this would be a good time to mention the following: I get a ton of email from readers who've lost photos due to a corrupted memory card. It's tragic when it happens, there are few things more precious than photo memories. Corrupted memory cards can happen with any card type and any camera manufacturer, nobody's immune. "Stuff happens," as they say. A surprising number of "lost" images can be recovered with an inexpensive, easy to use piece of software though. Given the amount of email I've gotten on the topic, I now include this paragraph in all my digicam reviews. The program you need is called PhotoRescue, by DataRescue SA. Read our review of it if you'd like, but download the program now, so you'll have it. It doesn't cost a penny until you need it, and even then it's only $29, with a money back guarantee. So download PhotoRescue for Windows or PhotoRescue for Mac while you're thinking of it. (While you're at it, download the PDF manual and quickstart guide as well.) Stash the file in a safe place and it'll be there when you need it. Trust me, needing this is not a matter of if, but when... PhotoRescue is about the best and easiest tool for recovering digital photos I've seen. (Disclosure: IR gets a small commission from sales of the product, but I'd highly recommend the program even if we didn't.) OK, now back to our regularly scheduled review...