Canon PowerShot G1 X Preview: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canong1x/page5.asp

 Street price• US: $799
• UK: £699
• EU: €749Sensor• 18.7 x 14mm Canon high-sensitivity CMOS
• Approx 14.3 million effective pixels
• 4:3 Aspect ratioImage sizes*4:3
• 4352 x 3264
• 3072 x 2304
• 1600 x 1200
• 640 x 480

16:9
• 4352 x 2248
• 3072 x 1728
• 1920 x 1080
• 640 x 360

3:2
• 4352 x 2904
• 3072 x 2048
• 1600 x 1064
• 640 x 424

1:1
• 3264 x 3264
• 2304 x 2304
• 1200 x 1200
• 480 x 480

4:5
• 2192 x 3264
• 1840 x 2304
• 960 x 1200
• 384 x 480Movie clips• 1920 x 1080 @ 24fps (Full HD)
• 1280 x 720 @ 30fps (HD)
• 640 x 480 @ 30fps (L)

• iFrame Movide (HD)
• Miniature Effect (HD, L) 6fps, 3fps, 1.5 fpsMaximum clip lengthUp to 4 GB or 29 min. 59 sec. (FullHD & HD)
Up to 4 GB or 1 hour (L)File formats• Still: JPEG (Exif v2.3 [Exif Print} compliant)
• RAW (14bit, Canon original RAW 2nd edition)
• Movie: MOV [H.264 + Linear PCM (stereo)]
• iFrameLens• 15.1 - 60.4 mm (35mm equivalent: 28-112mm)
• 4x optical zoom
• F2.8-5.8
• Construction: 11 elements in 10 groups (2 double-sided aspherical UA elements, 1 double-side aspherical element)Image stabilization• Yes (Lens-Shift), 4-stop,
• Intelligent ISConversion lensesYesDigital zoomup to 4x (with Digital Tele-Coverter Approx 1.5x or 1.9x and Safety zoom), combined approx. 16x.Focus• Auto focus : TTL
- AiAF (Face Detection / 9-point)
- 1-point AF (Any position is available, fixed center or Face Select and Track)
• Manual Focus
• Focus BracketingAF area modes• Single
• Continuous
• Servo AF/AE
• Tracking AFAF point selection• Manual selection using Flexizone AF/AE, Size (Normal, Small)AF lockYes (on/off selectable)AF assist lampYesFocus distanceClosest focus distance 20 cm (W)Metering• Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame)
• Center-weighted average
• Spot (center or linked to Face Detection AF or FlexiZone AF frame)ISO sensitivity• Auto
• ISO 100
• ISO 125
• ISO 160
• ISO 200
• ISO 250
• ISO 320
• ISO 400
• ISO 500
• ISO 640
• ISO 800
• ISO 1000
• ISO 1250
• ISO 1600
• ISO 2000
• ISO 2500
• ISO 3200
• ISO 4000
• ISO 5000
• ISO 6400
• ISO 8000
• ISO 10000
• ISO 12800AE lockYes (on/off selectable)Exposure compensation• +/- 3EV in 1/3 stop increments
• Enhanced i-Contrast for automatic dynamic range correction
• ND Filter (3 stop)AE Bracketing• 1/3 - 2EV in 1/3 stop incrementsShutter speed• 1 - 1/4000 sec (Factory default)
• 60-1/4000 sec (Total range - varies by shooting mode)Modes• Smart Auto (32 scenes detected)
• Program AE
• Shutter Priority AE
• Aperture Priority AE
• Manual
• Custom (2 modes)
• SCN
• Creative Filter
• MovieSCN modes• Movie Digest
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Kids & Pets
• Sports
• Smart Shutter (Smile, Wink Self-Time, Face Self-Timer)
• High-speed Burst HQ
• Handheld Night Scene
• Beach
• Underwater
• Foliage
• Snow
• Fireworks
• Stitch AssistCreative Filter• High Dynamic Range
• Nostalgic
• Fish-eye Effect
• Miniature Effect
• Toy Camera Effect
• Monochromic
• Super Vivid
• Poster Effect
• Color Accent
• Color SwapModes in Movie• Smart Auto (21 scenes detected)
• Standard
• Program AE
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Beach
• Underwater
• Foliage
• Snow
• Fireworks
• Nostalgic
• Fish-eye Effect
• Miniature Effect
• Monochromic
• Super Vivid
• Poster Effect
• Color Accent
• Color Swap
• iFrame MovieWhite balance• Auto (including Face Detection WB)
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Tungsten
• Fluorescent
• Fluorescent H
• Flash
• Underwater
• Custom1
• Custom2
• Mutil area WB correction available in Smart AutoSelf timerCustomContinuous shooting• Approx. 1.9 shots/sec
• AF: Approx. 0.7 shots/sec.
• LV: Approx. 0.7 shots/sec. (until memory card becomes full)
• High-speed Burst HQ: Approx. 4.5 shots/sec (up to 6 shots)Photo Effects
(My colors)• My Colors Off
• Vivid
• Neutral
• Sepia
• Black & White
• Positive Film
• Lighter Skin Tone
• Darker Skin Tone
• Vivid Blue
• Vivid Green
• Vivid Red
• Custom ColorFlash• Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Sync, Red-eye reduction
• Fastest speed
- 1/2000 sec (built-in flash)
- 1/250 sec (external flash)
- 1/4000 sec (external using high-speed synchro)Flash Exposure Comp.• +/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments
• Face Detection FE compensation
• Safety FEFlash details• Flash exposure lock
• Manual Power Adjustment (3 levels with internal flash. up to 19 levels with external EX Speedlites 270EX and 430EX. 22 levels with 580EX II)
• Second Curtain Sync
• Range (Auto ISO):50cm - 7.0m (wide) / 1.0m - 3.1m (tele)External FlashE-TTL with EX series Speedlites, Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX, Macro Ring Lite MR-14EXViewfinder• Real-image zoom
• Optical Viewfinder
• Dioptre CorrectionLCD monitor• 3.0 inch Vari-angle PureColor II VA (TFT)
• 920,000 pixels
• 100% coverage
• Adjustable to one of five levels, Quick-bright LCDConnectivity• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
• HDMI mini connector
• AV out (PAL / NTSC switchable)Print compliancePictBridgeStorage• SD, SDHC, SDXCPower• Rechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-10L
• Approx. 250 shots
• Approx. 420 min. playbackAccessories• Soft Case SC-DC75, DCC-1800
• Waterproof Case (40m) WP-DC44
• Waterproof Case Weight WW-DC1
• Lens Hood LH-DC70
• Filter Adapter FA-DC58C (Compatible with Canon 58mm Filters: Circular Polarizing PL-C B, Neutral Density Filter ND4X-L & NDX8-L, Protect, UV, Softmat No.1 & 2)

• Canon Speedlites (including 220EX, 270EX, 270EX II, 320EX, 420EX, 430EX,
430EX II, 550EX, 580EX, 580EX II)

• Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX, Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX (Both require Macro
Light Adapter MLA-DC1)

• Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2, Off-Camera Shoe Cord OC-E3, Bracket BKT-DC1,
Speedlite Bracket SB-E2

• Remote Switch RS-60E3

• AC Adatper Kit ACK-DC80, Battery Charger CB-2LCE
• Canon HDMI Cable HTC-100Weight (with battery and card)534gDimensions116.7 x 80.5 x 64.7 mm

Body & Design The G1 X inherits its ergonomics from Canon's G series - a range of cameras that has always been focused on offering an involved photographic experience and has improved generation-on-generation. The G1 X offers solid build quality and well-placed controls in a way that feels very pre-digital in its dependence on external controls, rather than menus and on-screen displays. An optical viewfinder and high-resolution flip-out/swivel LCD let the camera adapt to a variety of shooting style and it's reasonable to see the control system as tried-and-tested. However, there is an argument that the existing G-series cameras don't quite live up to the impressive photographic credentials (they seem rather large for cameras that don't offer any significant image quality improvement over the much more pocketable S95). The G1 X offers the promise of the image quality living up to the level that committed photographers would be looking for. The move to a sensor so closely related to Canon's DSLR chips means the G1 X is able to offer 1080p24 movie shooting (in the MOV format, with H.264 compression) or 720p in the easily editable iFrame format. The G1 X can also capture stereo sound and use its zoom during movie capture though it stops short of offering a socket for an external mic. This movie-capturing capability is recognized with the addition of a direct movie record button on the camera's shoulder. Two tiny holes on the top plate - one behind the flash, one next to the mode dial - conceal the stereo microphones used to record audio. The G1 X has a pop-up type flash unit (necessary to avoid shadowing by the lens at wideangle), which is activated by a little switch behind it on the top plate. This means that the exposure compensation dial has moved below the mode dial, where the ISO dial used to be. Consequently this control has been displaced to the 'up' button on the 4-way controller, and the subsequent rearrangement of rear button functions sees the self-timer option disappear into the FUNC menu. On the plus side, exposure compensation is now available to +/- 3 stops, in 1/3 stop increments. In your hand The G1 X gains its ergonomics fairly directly from the G12 - itself one of the nicest compact cameras to use if you're trying to take control over the photographic intent. The camera sits well in the hand and offers controls where your fingers fall, giving the sense of a well-built tool designed for creative photography. Articulated LCD screen The G1 X retains the G-series' signature swivel-and-tilt rear screen, which enables a huge degree of compositional flexibility for such things as low-level or overhead shooting. It also allows discreet waist-level shooting, useful for candids or portraits. Unlike tilt-only screens, it's equally useful for shooting stills in both portrait and landscape orientations. It also arguably works better on the G-series than on Canon's SLRs, as you can adjust the screen with your left hand while operating the camera with your right (as opposed to using your left hand to zoom the lens) The range of movements means the screen can point directly forward (for self-portraits), or vertically up or down. Of course you can also fold the screen flush against the camera body, either with the display facing outwards like on conventional compacts, or inwards to protect against scratches (or avoid covering it in nose grease when using the optical finder).

Operation and controls Top of camera controls The G1 X uses much the same control layout as the G12, which as far as we're concerned counts as a good thing. The top plate plays host to the power button, zoom lever (concentric with the shiny silver shutter button, and dials to set exposure mode and exposure compensation. There's also an EOS-like control dial at the top of the handgrip, well-positioned for operation by your index finger. It's used to change primary exposure parameters such as aperture in Av mode and shutter speed in Tv mode. Overall this makes camera control straightforward and very direct; Canon DSLR users in particular will feel immediately at home here. Rear of camera controls The back of the G1 X is positively bristling with buttons, which means you get direct access to a wide range of functions - more than on some entry-level SLRs. The 4-way controller offers direct access to focus and flash modes and ISO sensitivity, while clustered around it are buttons for autoexposure lock, metering pattern and AF area selection. The FUNC button brings up Canon's familiar sub-menu for changing settings such as drive mode and while balance, while the 'S' shortcut button on the top left shoulder is programmable. First Impressions and Summary The Powershot G1 X is a particularly interesting addition to the compact camera marketplace. With its large sensor and 28-112mm equivalent zoom range, it promises image quality that's entirely competitive with an APS-C DSLR or mirrorless interchangeable lens camera used with a typical 18-55mm or 14-42mm kit zoom, but with greater compositional flexibility. Along with its wide range of external controls, articulated LCD and optical finder, this means it should not only be an ideal second camera for SLR enthusiasts, but a compelling alternative to entry-level SLRs in its own right (especially as most are only ever used with their original kit zoom). The large sensor also means its image quality should surpass other compact cameras, particularly in low light, although those with fast zooms (notably the Fujifilm X10 and Olympus XZ-1) may well run it very close. Indeed with previous G-series models our main criticism has been that there always seemed to be an awful lot of camera to deliver what was ultimately small-sensor image quality - the G1 X addresses this by providing a sensor that's about six times the area, for only a relatively modest increase in bulk. Overall, the G1 X the kind of enthusiast-orientated camera that we can't help but find exciting - in amongst the plethora of identikit compacts released around the same time, it's refreshing to see Canon trying something genuinely different. We're certainly looking forward to getting it into our testing studio, to see if it lives up to expectations.