Product Description

Canon scales the heights of clarity with a state-of-the-art digital camera that delivers images of unprecedented quality. This is a camera with enough advanced options to satisfy a professional photographer, yet it retains an ease of use that will allow a skilled amateur to shoot without feeling overwhelmed. It even boasts the ability to take short movie clips - with sound! Packing 3.34 million pixels, you'll be hard-pressed to find a camera that can deliver a clearer image with 3x Zoom Lens.Meanwhile, you can control every aspect of your shot as much or as little as you want. Shutter speed, aperture, white balance, focus - you can manually adjust any of them to suit your creative needs, or let the PowerShot G1 take care of them for you. Innovative options such as auto exposure bracketing allow you to hedge your best while shooting in questionable conditions. Meanwhile, variable-angle LCD monitor and a convenient wireless remote allow you to take shots from difficult angles with ease. Whether you are a professional or just want to take professional grade photos, the PowerShot G1 is the digital camera for you. This model makes magnifying images: in single image replay, the displayed image can be shown magnified by an approximately factor of 2.5 or 5. It also features movie recording and playback: if a picture is worth a thousand words, then this feature is priceless! When you're desperate for a video camera, the PowerShot G1 can record a QVGA (320 x 240 pixels) digital movie clip (with sound) at 15 frames per second for up to 30 seconds. Then you can play back your home movies on the built-in LCD monitor or a compatible personal computer or even on your TV! The PowerShot G1 even offers video output in either NTSC or PAL, allowing playback abroad.This camera is supplied with Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk 2.0 (for Mac & PC).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #50646 in Camera & Photo
• Size: Medium Size
• Brand: Canon
• Model: C831004
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Platforms: Mac, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 4, Windows NT 5, PowerMac, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000 Server, Mac OS X, Mac OS 9 and below, Windows, Windows NT
• Dimensions: 3.00" h x 4.71" w x 2.50" l, .6 pounds
• Memory: 16MB
• Display size: 1.8

Features

• 3.34-megapixel CCD; 2,048 x 1,536 maximum resolution
• 3x optical/2x, 4x digital zoom (Maximum 12x digital zoom when combined with optical zoom)
• Compatible with Type I and II CompactFlash cards
• Swivel-mounted color LCD monitor
• Compatible with Canon EX-series Speedlite flashes

Amazon.com Product Description
Like most of Canon's PowerShot line, the G1 is designed to deliver great looking images with minimal fuss. While the other PowerShot models are obsessed with stuffing a quality camera into the smallest possible package, the G1 focuses on features, usability, and image quality before size. We're not saying it's a large camera--in fact, it's smaller than most manufacturers' compact models--but it's still a substantial jump in size from a Digital Elph.

The 3.3-megapixel CCD captures images at user-selectable resolutions of 2,048 x 1,536, 1,024 x 768, and 640 x 480--which means you can take pictures for making detailed 8-by-10 prints as well as clicking snapshots for the Web and e-mail. The G1 also lets you choose between three varying degrees of JPEG compression, or, when taking pictures at highest resolution, you can store images in the RAW format, which, unlike JPEG compression, is a lossless, and reversible, type of compression. RAW files are roughly one-third the size of equivalent TIFF files. They can only be read by Canon's included software, but they can be losslessly converted and saved as TIFF files by your computer.

For those uninterested or uneducated in the more detailed mechanics of photography, the G1 can function like a point-and-shoot, automatically taking care of virtually every setting. If, however, you're more interested in setting the camera's functions manually, the G1 is perfectly willing to accept your commands, allowing control over every function on the camera. ISO can be set at speeds of 50, 100, 200, and 400, and the G1 also features aperture and shutter priority modes. Manual focus can be used, although Canon only recommends using it in tricky focus situations. AE/AF lock allows you to set exposure and focus setting for a given scene, letting you recompose and shoot without losing time. Other shooting modes include flash-exposure compensation; programmed control zones (portrait, landscape, etc.); movie mode; and slow shutter-speed mode, which opens the shutter for long periods of time in low-light situations and applies noise reduction. Auto-exposure bracketing takes three pictures, intentionally over- and under-exposing the two extra shots to help capture the best picture possible. The G1 has five different flash modes, including red-eye reduction, and is compatible with all Canon EX-series Speedlite flashes. A macro mode rounds out the package.

No digital camera is complete without an LCD monitor, and here the G1 shines as well. The 1.8-inch color monitor sits on a swivel mount. The monitor rotates on two axes, flipping out to rest on the same plane as the back of the camera, and also rotates up to 270 degrees. This versatility lets you view your shot from almost any angle or around corners; you can even see yourself while you're taking a self-portrait. Best of all, because the G1's monitor flips and swivels, you can store the camera with the monitor screen nestled safely against the body of the camera, protecting it from any scratches. The G1 comes with a USB port and cable, battery and AC adapter, 16 MB CompactFlash card, software, lens cap, and neck strap. For people with older systems, there is also a serial port, but PC and Mac serial cables are sold separately.

Customer Reviews

Great! Camera with few small Flaws
I have been into digital photography for about 3 years, and have owned an Apple Quicktake 200 (lame), Nikon Coolpix 950 (decent), Nikon Coolpix 990 (almost right; read my review), and now the G1. I have it set up with the 340 MB IBM microdrive, as well as the Canon 420EX Speelite. This combination, I feel, is about as good as you can get without getting to the [price] range (Canon D30). Here are some things you may not see in the other reviews:

* The camera, once it powers on after about 5 seconds, is very very quick shooting. You almost can't want to shoot faster than it will allow.

* Focus can, however, slow you down a bit, especially in dark setting (despite focus-assist light), and in low-contrast settings. I am a dentist (couldn't you tell by the name?!), and the camera does have issues with intraoral focusing.

* Playback of images is very fast, especially when you use the RAW format. You can flip through about 2/second. If you can, buy a BIG memory card. I have the 340 MB Microdrive, and can store about 200 images in RAW mode. This mode is important. It is the equivalent of a TIFF file, but only takes about 2 megs/image, instead of 9 Megs with the Coolpix 990. Also, shot-to-shot in TIFF mode on the 990 is almost 10 seconds; on the G1, shot-to-shot in RAW is about 1 second. Also, in RAW mode, you can alter brightness/contrast/color saturation losslessly.

* Flash photography is a complete joy to do with this camera. The 420EX is a spectacular flash, there is tons of power, no red eye, and the E-TTL system makes even bounce and swivel photography a complete breeze. You can even over/underexpose the flash, and wirelessly control multiple flashes. Just totally unparalleled. Nikon and Olympus just can't touch this. 990 doesn't even have a hot shoe...

* The battery is on steroids; just never wants to run out (realistically ~400-500 shots 'til reload). With the Coolpix 990, you have to buy batteries and a charger. Koodos to Canon for adding this value to the G1.

* The layout of the controls is such that just about every button is within easy reach of my fingers. Excellent.

* Optional adapter (... LA-DC58) screws into the front, and allows you to use standard 58 mm lenses and ring lights to further expand your creativity.

* Camera is fairly hefty, and builty like a tank. This sure isn't going to break in your hands...

* Setting the ISO to 50 (Nikon can't do this) gives just absolutely fantastic photos with very minimal noise, even in the dead of night (Nikon had MUCH more noise).

Negative stuff (hey, it can't be perfect!):

* There is no Program Shift!!! HOW could they do this?!?! This actually is a bummer, and the standard Program mode always seems to favor wide open F-stops; stick to aperture-priority. 990 has this....

* You cannot have multiple folders to store images to. This is a pain, since I can store about 200 images between downloads, and I never want to have my patient photos mixed up. 990 has this feature, but I consider it a minor inconvenience.

In conclusion, the unique highs of this camera include the image quality (ISO 50), awesome flash capabilities, IBM Microdrive support, RAW image mode, great battery, and lots of great accessories. The negatives include suspect night/low contrast focusing and no program shift. I've used most 3 megapixel cameras, and I think this is the gem of the lot.

Excellent and a standard setter
I've already had one digital camera (a Kodak DC290, which was excellent) for a year, but I longed for more manual control and more flexibility, and this camera delivers in spades. The G1, in fact, has so many features and options that it's a bit overwhelming for people who've operated earlier, more limited digital cameras primarily in point-and-shoot mode. Apart from shutter and aperture priority, there are night flash, portrait, landscape and movie modes. There's excellent noise reduction for long exposures and a mode to assist with taking panoramas (plus almost absurdly easy stitching software) to merge the shots on a computer.

The camera sets new standards in its price category with its support for IBM Microdrives and the use of a camcorder battery, meaning longer life and lots more pictures possible in a given session. The swiveling LCD is fantastic and is so bright I use it to compose for almost every shot... again, the longer battery life makes this possible. The menus are easy to follow and the ergonomics are great -- the camera feels very solid and not like some weirdly designed gadget. A hot shoe means it's easy to attach a Canon speedlite flash (or some third party flashes) for even greater flexibility, and it's a relief not to have to rely on clumsy brackets to hold a flash. RAW mode pictures make it possible to tweak pictures for things like white balance in the computer.

The picture quality is superb, and the camera is very adaptable to a variety of picture taking settings. What may cause an issue with novice users is the fact that pictures using auto settings, while OK, can be a bit cool, and in trickier settings on sunny days, end up slightly overexposed. The built-in flash is also on the finicky side and will require some experimentation to determine optimal range. It's simple enough to adjust flash strength, exposure or white balance accordingly and have those settings stick, but some folks may not want to bother. There are definitely more manageable cameras for those who primarily want point-and-shoot or those who want very saturated looking pictures right out of the camera (the Kodaks being best).

But by the same token, those who like to tinker will find the pictures possible with the G1 excellent--they compare very favorably to other digicams I evaluated such as the Nikons, Olympuses and Kodaks. This is a very good camera for people who want to learn more about photography. After an adjustment period of over a hundred pictures, I find that everything from portraits to landscapes to macro shots to night shots comes out very well. The software that comes with the camera for downloading and browsing images (Zoombrowser) is well done --I usually avoid installing camera manufacturers' software because of bugs, but this is good stuff.

Most notable nits: a flimsy rubber door that covers the AC port, and a slow bootup time when using the IBM Microdrive. Otherwise, the camera feels wonderful and the time to take pictures from one shot to another is very fast.

Overall, I am very pleased. Beyond everything I've already said, the fact that I've taken nearly a thousand pictures in just a few weeks is evidence that taking pictures with this camera and making use of all its capabilities is absolutely addictive!

Finally a digital camera than can please photographers
I agree with the points listed by others reviewing the Canon Powershot G1 camera and I am very happy with the product. I purchased this camera to take advantage of some of its more advanced features and have not been let down (after several weeks, I'm still making discoveries).

A couple of additional notes I would like to add for those intending to buy this camera and for existing owners:

1) I highly recommend Canon's PSC1000 semi-hard case for the G1. It is a two-piece leather design that provides significant protection for the camera body, as well as making the camera easier to grip for those with large hands.

2) I have been pleasantly surprised with the software that Canon supplied with the G1 - the ZoomBrowser software provides a quick, convenient method of viewing large numbers of photographs. This camera also comes with a 'SE' edition of Adobe Photoshop - a rich product that enjoys industry-wide support. Competitors often provide a TWAIN-compatible driver and a simple/cheap photo manipulation program - leaving consumers to purchase adequate software.

3) The 16mb card supplied with the camera is really included only to make the camera operable out of the box. In my opinion, this card should have been at least 64mb in size (high quality JPG images are 1.2mb in size). Be prepared to purchase a larger card immediately, or try one of the Microtech harddrives made by IBM, which the G1 supports fully.

I've rated the camera 5 stars because I find it to be the digital equivalent to Canon's excellent line of EOS SLR cameras in every respect.