Canon PowerShot G6 7.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom

Rating:
Summary: Powerful advanced digital zoom - pitiful instruction booklet
Review: Having used (and reviewed) the precursor G3 model, time came to step up from 4MP to 7 MP. No disappointment there - uncompressed RAW files come out beautifully, and can be tailored exquisitely with the enclosed software. The slighltly larger (2") LCD is sharp, bright & clear, and still (praise be) swivels as nicely as ever; the menus are crisply lucid; and my G3 accessories (tele lens, battery pack, etc) remain compatible. The display panel (at last) can be illuminated when light is dim, and that irksome view of the lens barrel that used to obstruct the optical viewfinder has been corrected (finally) by recessing the lens and relocating the finder. The consistently high-rated 4x zoom lens remains identical to that in the preceding models; it is claimed to have improved antireflective coating.

The body is a bit smaller and lighter than the G3 or G5, but this still is no pocket camera; and that attractive black finish of the G5 has been changed back to the original silver color. Not so nice at all is the exact halving of the original excellent user instruction manual to pocket size. The English is as lucid as ever, but now barely readable in half-size font; and the tight binding doesn't keep the book open at a page - a real pain! To be PC, one now gets two pint-size manuals in the box - one English and one Spanish. Fortunately, you can download the full size printing from the Canon website - but couldn't those pdf files have been included in the accompanying CD? Likewise the software manual, disfigured by a "Copy" watermark on each page.

Don't be fooled by the accessory tele, wide and macro lenses - these require a separate adapter, bringing their cost close to that of an SLR lens. In other words, if 4x zoom doesn't meet your needs, spring for a digital SLR! Overall, not yielding to the 8MP race (which has not reviewed well), the 7MP sensor seems to fare much better in reviews, with the G6 offering the sharpest resolution and minimal color fringing. It will take jerky "movies", but if you are at all serious, use a camcorder. This top-rated prosumer camera has SLR-like manual controls; but it needs a much higher quality printed manual to clarify the many features - you'd never figure out that the flash button converts the current image from JPEG to RAW, for instance.

Visible cost-trimming measures such as half-size manuals printed on cheap paper, downsized frame, and skimpy 32MB memory card can only raise concerns about invisible corner cutting of the camera's innards. Time will tell.

Rating:
Summary: Superb Camera, Gorgeous Photos
Review: I am upgrading now from the Powershot G2 to G6 and I have spent the last week testing my new camera both in macro and standard modes, and have found the G6 photos to be richer and sharper, than the G2, and the color very accurate. With the lightmeter set to center-weighted averaging, I was able to get some gorgeous pictures with a wide range of dark and light without ever over or under-exposing! I am very, very pleased.

The design of the G6 is quite handsome and in fact downright Japanese -- shimmery silver, with a panel of deep-graphite black, a sort of yin-yang combination of elegance and simplicity. The new arrangements of the dials and the squarer shape are all very intuitive -- the camera weighs a little less than the G2 but is very stable in the hand.

With the super-large images possible with its 7.1 megapixel capacity, its macros and telephotos automatically jump to super-macros and super-telephotos. I found that the smallest details, hidden in these such large panoramic pictures, are still amazingly clear.

The G6 also solves a problem I had been struggling with when using the shutter-speed priority setting -- (assuming you are set to one of the priority modes) -- you can turn on "safety shift" in the menu settings, the camera will then automatically adjust the preset shutter-speed or aperture if it is out of range. Another related feature is the exposure shift -- you can hold down the release button halfway and lock the exposure reading with the AE-Lock on the back of the camera, and then use the main dial just above the shutter release to adjust the reading to equivalent exposures up or down (in order to increase or decrease depth of field, etc).

Since I use a Mac, I am pleased that the G6 software can be operated as OSX native -- the 2-CD bundle that comes with the camera provides some fine new editing and viewing programs for PC and OSX, including a great Remote Capture program for operating the camera live from your computer.

Thank you Canon!

Rating:
Summary: The perfect fit...
Review: I had been researching digital cameras for some time before making my purchase of my G6 a few weeks ago. For a few years, I've been shooting with my Minolta Maxxum 5 SLR, because it was lightweight and gave me all the things I needed in a camera. I broke into digital slowly (as most people did given that just a few years ago, a 2.0MP digital camera ran about $300). I had a meager Fuji A340 and then moved up to a Canon SD100 which I loved-small with decent images. I looked around at the digital SLR's, but for what I do, I didn't like two things about them: price and size. Often when I travel, I tote my camcorder and a camera with me. Last year, I went to Europe and brought along my Maxxum 5 (for quality shots), my Canon SD100 (for quick, easy shots) and my camcorder, a JVC GR-DV500u for video. I thought my arm was going to fall off a week into the trip. The solution: Combine the cameras, i.e. the Canon G6.

The G6 offers the easy of a point and shoot digital with the image quality of a digital SLR. The ergonomics are the best I've ever felt in a camera--the grip is even better than on my Maxxum giving every shot a confident, steady feel. The lens is fantasticly bright and the colors are accurate. Whenever possible, I shoot without a flash because I've always found that flash lighting from a camera's on-board flash is often harsh, but Canon has an answer for that too with its adjustable flash output and tight gain control on higher ISO settings. They included all the nice little extras like the included remote control and lighted top LCD read-out. Surprisingly, I find myself using the Intravolometer feature quite often to do timelapse photography. It is a perfect balance of size, price and features. This is a camera you won't mind taking to a party or taking on a weekend photo-excursion. The optical viewfinder is quite generous for a camera in this range also. The ability to shoot RAW images is greatly appreciated, and the fact it uses CompactFlash is excellent. I got a 1GB card from Sandisk at BestBuy for a measly $68 after rebate. Hitachi also makes microdrives for CompactFlash slots at very resonable prices too- 4GB is only going to set you back $199--I can remember when the 512Mb cards cost that.

[...]

I can't say enough about this camera!

Rating:
Summary: Worth Every Cent.
Review: i just got this camera tonight.
and while i still dont know how to use alot of its features, the random pictures ive taken tonight have been amazing.
the tone and quality and saturation is so realistic
i took a picture about half an hour ago and the depth of field and quality has seriously blown me away...its not cheap, but its worth every cent for that picture alone...and hopefully many, many more to come.
considoring i got amazing results inside with the flash on and not knowing how to work it properly, i can only assume it will get much, much better from here.
its not pocket sized, but i dont like tiny flimsy little things anyway.
i cant fault it.
im inlove with it already, ive even named it haha.

if you want all the manual controls of an slr without the price tag of one, SERIOUSLY considor this camera.

Rating:
Summary: Sturdy camera and Great Photos!
Review: I originally bought a compact camera, Nikon 4200, 4MP.
The indoor and outdoor shots were horrible, both being blury.
This camera takes great photos indoor and out, not blury.
The video results are also great. Also, the camera is extremely sturdy and is great quality.
Battery life seems to be doing good also.
The delay lag is pretty quick, not a quick as Rebel G but all digital cameras under 1K must Autofocus first and take a bit.
Autofocus is pretty reasonable.
Get this camera if you are in the market and you are not hung up on a compact but a good quality camera that takes good pics.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Camera
Review: I was debating between the Canon Pro 1 and the Canon G6 to replace my Nikon Coolpix. After much research I decided on the Canon G6. Although the Pro 1 has a longer zoon it lacks the AF assist beam for shots taken in dark conditions. I took some shots in complete darkness using the AF assist beam and the pictures turned out great. The G6 is awesome camera with excellent picture quality--even better than I expected. The pictures are clear and the colors are vibrant. The recycling time between pictures is much faster than either of the Nikon Coolpix I own.

The G6 has a wide range of features for beginners and more advanced users. I recommend taking the time to read the users guide to get to know what the G6 is capable of. For those of who like black and white or sepia pictures--no problem with the G6. You can record pictures or movies in either.

The included Canon software is easy to install and use. When your G6 is hooked up to your computer you have complete control over camera through the software. You also get a good amount of accessories included with the G6: shoulder strap, 32 MB CF card (you will need an additional card), and wireless remote. You can also expand the G6 capabilities with the purchase of additional lenses or flashes.

Although this is not a pocket camera, it is not heavy and can easily be carried all day. The camera grip on the G6 has a "pro" feel to it and adds stability while taking pictures.

If you're looking for a camera that takes great pictures with lots of features, but don't want to pay the price for a digital SLR the G6 should be on the top of your list.

Rating:
Summary: The best camera at this price point!
Review: I've had the G6 for one month now, replacing my faithful minolta S414 (good pictures but slow). The G6 is an excellent camera. Pros: Construction is solid, ergonomics are solid, good battery (it's never run out on me during a trip), and lots of cool features not present on cameras at the price (swivel screen, remote control, flash shoe, auto-rotate, that night-assist beam thingy). My wife loves it, and everyday I come home I noticed she's taken like 50 new baby pictures, and some of thm look very good. We printed some 8x10 enlargements and they looked gorgeous. We're so happy with it that we immediately canceled our membership at the "the Picture People" amateurs, ugh...

Rating:
Summary: Great for photo enthusiasts who travel
Review: Just had this for a week or so now, and it's my first digital, though I do wedding photography (on film and rented high-end digital cams) and I'm pretty experienced with photography.

My wife and I were with some friends in Flagstaff, AZ, and in addition to kicking around town, we hiked Humphrey's Peak (at 12,633', the highest peak in AZ). For night shots, portraits, panoramas (with Stitch Assist-- see below), scenics, and candids, this is a great camera.

It's not as fast and responsive as my film camera, but no point-and-shoot digital is at this point. The only cameras that are that quick in focusing and processing are the high-end digital SLR bodies. So for the price, this is a very responsive and able camera.

The Stitch Assist feature is very impressive. With the included software, I just downloaded the photos to Zoom Browser EX, selected the folder where the photos shot with the Stitch Assist mode resided (one folder for each panorama), and the external stitching program automatically put the photos together. There's a little manual control if you like, but it was so easy that I left it alone. I'm normally a tweaker, but it was great without my help. :) I have some great panoramas of the summit of Humphrey's as we were getting to the top.

The Macro mode is great as well, as I got a really nice shot of some of the ice pellets that had fallen on the ground. I have a macro setup for my film body, but it's a pain.

Vertical and horizontal photos are automatically rotated if you prefer-- a very nice feature. I would prefer not to have to go through hundreds of photos and do post-rotation. I've done it with wedding photos, and it's a pain.

The lens on this camera is very good. Overall clarity is good and distortion is low. There is some barrel distortion at the wide angle setting, but it's not too objectionable. Plus the f/2.0 - f/3.0 speed is a boon to low-light shooting. The front-facing flash on this camera is the typical small kind of flash that's also close to the lens. I've always found this kind of lighting harsh and unflattering, so I like to shoot with ambient light if possible. Now that I don't have to use color correction filters and can have the white balance suited to the light color temperature, I can shoot indoors without flash! Finally!

Noise levels are pretty good, but not great compared with the high-end digital bodies. Again, not a fair comparison, so for the money, very good. Just not as good as is possible. I can dream, can't I?

The only thing that I would like is more zoom range. I guess I could've gotten the Pro 1 with a 10x zoom, but the 35-140 range is good for many things, from scenics to portraits. I also could get one or both of the wide angle/telephoto conversion lenses.

A great camera for the money.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent camera for intermediate photographers
Review: This camera has incredible features - 7.1 megapixels, ability to shoot RAW, a much clearer zoom than the powershots directly below it. However, I have had problems with focusing on finer details on objects, or if the object is too close to the camera. It has the ability to manually focus and can produce images with incredible depth-of-field, but the auto-focus upon actually shooting occasionally focuses on the wrong objects in the photo. The ability to change the length of exposure is wonderful - up to 15 seconds of exposure.

This is a great camera for the mid-range photographer that wants to explore more advanced digital techniques. For advanced photographers who are loyal to the Canon line, I would suggest upgrading to either the 20D or the Digital Rebel. Both are a little easier to focus and produce sharper images and allow attaching other lenses and filters much easier than modifying the G6.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent camera
Review: This is my first digital camera that i purchased after spending hours and hours over the web, comparing different cameras and reading reviews. I would say I am glad with my purchase. Only problems I noticed are

1. Focusing and Red eye problem in low light
2. Zoon is only 4X, You definitely need more zoom if you are going to take pictures in functions like graduation comencement where you are not very close to the object.

Pros:
- Amazingly Exceeeeeeeeeeeellent picture quality
- Adjustable LCD like camcorders ( I luv it)
- Wireless remote
- Battery life is not bad

Cons:
- Focusing and red eye problem in low light
- I need more zoom than 4X