Canon G16 review: the G15 on steroids? See what’s new.

 

 

We've just posted our Canon G16 review, and like previous G-series PowerShot cameras, it's another solid entry into the premium compact camera market. The big story with Canon's new flagship enthusiast-oriented PowerShot camera is the massive speed boost the camera gets thanks to its new DIGIC 6 processor. The other major addition is built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for easy sharing and transferring of photos to smart devices and computers.

The Canon G16 is strikingly similar to the G15 with the same fast, f/1.8-2.8 5x optical zoom lens, full PASM controls and a dedicated exposure compensation dial. There are slight cosmetic adjustments to the button layout such as a separate ISO button, but most changes are under the hood. We've already covered the new image processor, and thanks to its number-crunching prowess, the G16 boasts much faster AF, higher frames per second continuous shooting and 1080/60p Full HD video.

The 12.1MP 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor has also been tweaked with the addition of backside illumination for better high ISO performance. Combined with the fast f/1.8-2.8 aperture, the G16 is a solid low-light performer for its class.

Though it shares some of the downsides of its predecessor such as the lack of an articulated screen (which we were sad to see removed after the G12), and it's still not as pocketable as other advanced, enthusiast-oriented compact cameras (Sony RX100 II, I'm looking at you), the Canon G16 is a well-built, solid camera that produces excellent pictures.

So, does the Canon G16 deserve to join your stable of cameras? Are you a G15 owner contemplating upgrading? If you're looking for a second camera as a compact alternative to your DSLR and need (or want) lots of DSLR-like control and customizability or are looking to step up from a lower-end compact camera, the Canon G16 could be the camera for you. Check out our Canon G16 review for all the details.