Pros: First-rate image quality, large LCD, lots of manual exposure options
Cons: Price; included 32MB CF card soon becomes a bottleneck.
The Bottom Line: Canon seem to get it right with each release. The G6 is no exception. An advanced compact camera that's capable of beating even 8MP ones with its exceptional image quality.
camlover's Full Review: Canon PowerShot G6 Digital Camera
The $560 PowerShot G6 may certainly not win any prize for its high price tag, but there's more to it than just that...
The PowerShot G6, the latest addition to Canon's G series, is quite a compact and powerful 7.1 megapixel digital camera that should appeal to everyone, enthusiasts included. Ever since I purchased the "original" G1 about four years ago, I've been a devotee of the G series and quite frankly, they seem to get better with each release.
I really like the G6's sporty silver body colour, though some may prefer the G5's more professional black look. Canon seemed to have gotten the size right this time too, for the G6 is about 10% smaller than the latter, making one-handed shooting even easier than before. There's a 32MB CompactFlash card included in the packaging that soon becomes a bottleneck. You can also record up to 3 minutes of 320x240 pixel video at 15 frames per second, but at 640x480, this feature is limited to only 30 seconds at 10 fps.
For added convenience, the G6 also has a very bright, 2" fold-out LCD monitor that tilts and swivels. However, the eye-level optical viewfinder shows only about 80% of the actual photo. Fortunately, a diopter adjustment makes the viewfinder adapt to your eyesight, but I kept having problems with that for it can easily get knocked out of focus again.
There's a magnificent 4X zoom lens included in the G6 that feels very accurate and is quite to my liking. Wide-angle and telephoto converters can be bought as additional accessories too.
I was very impressed with the G6's nine-point autofocus for it locks on quickly. When the camera is in manual-focus mode, the central portion of the LCD monitor gets enlarged, helping you attain a sharper focus. This is very good for close-ups. The G6 also sports Canon's all-too-familiar dual-menu structure. The well-organized main menu holds many other exposure and setup options. Using the four-way thumb button and the shortucts, you can get quick access to the more common settings, such as flash, macro, and white balance. The arrangement makes adjusting the camera fast and straightforward.
The only department where the G6 somewhat lacks in is the choice of scene modes. Nevertheless, it has two programmable custom modes that let you easily return to your favorite settings as the subjects and lighting conditions change.
On to picture quality: I absolutely love the digital photos taken by the G6. Color accuracy, sharpness and details are all preserved amazingly, even when you're shooting on a rooftop.
One thing that's surprisingly missing is the Print/Share button, which has been making its way onto other PowerShot cameras, allowing you to print directly to a compatible printer. I understand that the G6 offers support for the PictBridge standard too.
The G6 derives its power from a high-capacity rechargeable lithium ion battery. I could easily take over 500 shots on a single charge, which clearly shows that Canon have improved in this department too. For extra convenience, the self-contained charger plugs straight into a power outlet with fold-out plugs. I almost forgot: there's a wireless remote control with this camera too.
Overall, I'd recommend the G6 to anyone. Its an amazing camera that really makes the G series shine with its extraordinary image quality and slick controls.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 560 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
7.1-megapixel PowerShot digital camera with a fast f2.0-3.0, 35-140mm (35mm equivalent) lens in a compact body New ergonomic design includes an enhanc...More at Amazon Marketplace
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