Canon PowerShot G12 Suggestions and Review

Canon PowerShot G12 Suggestions and Review
Here are some suggestions about Canon PowerShot G12:

I am a part-time fine art photographer and my favorite subjects are landscapes, flowers, classic European architecture, travel, visual arts and crafts. I work with two DSLR systems but like to have with me a compact camera at all times for any eventuality.

The camera's key features include a larger than average 1/1.7" 10Mp sensor with superior image quality in low light and higher ISO values, a sharp 28-140mm zoom lens, an optical viewfinder, a fully articulated LCD monitor, many dedicated external controls, manual exposure, Raw format, good responsiveness, reasonably fast autofocus even in low light, and a powerful flash. I can make enlargements around 16x20" from the G12 with ISO 800 pics in good light and ISO400 in low light (in Raw format and proper processing in Camera Raw).

The 5x zoom lens, even if not particularly bright, extends from a very useful 28mm wide angle to a 140mm short telephoto. Some kinds of photography can be done with inexpensive equipment but true wide angle and telephoto work requires high quality, expensive equipment and solid technique (if you are serious about your photography stay away from superzoom cameras). When I worked with slide film I strove for a final crop in-camera.

The camera has a sharp 2.8", 461Kp fully articulated LCD monitor hinged on the side (so that it is never in the way of the tripod head). There are specific shooting conditions where a monitor like this is useful. With the camera in P mode and forced flash I got many publication-quality pics.

I like the camera's external controls a lot, especially the top and front dials. Continuous shooting is up to 2fps in best possible conditions (jpeg and fixed focus and exposure) and drops to 0.8fps with continuous focus.

All the manual controls are there. The camera can shoot Raw and, my favorite, Raw + jpeg. The flash is quite powerful reaching 21' at wide angle in P mode.

The camera offers a cornucopia of operating functions. I particularly value the live histogram before and after shooting, enlarged playback for checking focus, auto exposure bracketing up to +-2 f/stops (for out-of-camera HDR applications), spot autofocus and custom white balance. I prefer to process my Raw HDR pictures in Photoshop but I am impressed with the effectiveness of the in-camera HDR function (jpeg only). Focus bracketing is limited by the fact that is does not work in macro. It would be a killer macro feature when paired with Photoshop's extended focus function. With static subjects I like to pick my focus where I want it by pressing the shutter button half way, recompose (with the exposure continuously updating) and take the picture.

In jpeg and Quick Shot mode the camera is at its fastest. The LCD monitor turns into an info screen similar to a DSLR camera, autofocus is set to continuous and you compose with the optical viewfinder.

In conclusion, I find working with this camera in all the situations that do not require high speed or low light performance to be truly enjoyable. With all the limitations inherent in a compact camera, the G12 is a truly remarkable piece of photographic equipment.

Canon EOS 1000D, The Best Entry Level of DSLR Camera The Review

Canon EOS 1000D, The Best Entry Level of DSLR Camera The Review

The EOS 1000D, or Digital Rebel XS as it’s known in North America, is Canon’s latest entry-level DSLR. It’s the true successor to the best-selling EOS 400D / Rebel XTi and positioned below the EOS 450D / Rebel XSi which was launched six months earlier.

The new EOS 1000D / XS shares several key specifications with its predecessor. It has the same 10.1 Megapixel resolution using a CMOS sensor, the same 3fps continuous shooting rate (for JPEGS anyway) and the same sized 2.5in 230k pixel screen round the back (although it’s now brighter and sports a wider viewing angle). So far so similar, but Canon has of course made a number of changes.

Physically speaking the new EOS 1000D / XS is a slightly different shape to its predecessor, and closer to the recent 450D / XSi; indeed it also shares the same battery pack as the 450D / XSi along with its optional grip and a swap from Compact Flash to SD memory cards. Canon’s additionally shed further weight from the new model and at 450g, it’s officially the company’s lightest DSLR to date – 25g lighter than the 450D / XSi and 60g lighter than the 400D / XTi.

Internally there are of course a variety of changes over the 400D / XTi, the most predictable being the presence of Live View. The new 1000D XS shares the same Live View specification as the 450D / XSi, including the contrast-based AF option and supplied PC / Mac remote control software.

In an attempt to distance it from the 450D / XSi, Canon’s actually downgraded the AF system in the 1000D from its predecessor – at least in terms of AF points anyway. So rather than the 9-point system of the 400D / XTi and 450D / XSi, Canon has recycled the 7-point system of the earlier 350D / XT for use on the 1000D / XS. Canon does however note the AF algorithm behind it is the same as that on the 450D / XSi, and at least 7-points are still more than the 3-point systems of entry-level Nikon and Olympus DSLRs.

Interestingly the continuous shooting specification is also a downgrade in some respects. The 1000D / XS can shoot at the same 3fps speed as its predecessor, but only for JPEG images. Switch both models to RAW and the new 1000D / XS drops to 1.5fps with a mere five frame buffer compared to 10 RAW frames at 3fps on the 400D / XTi. On the upside though, the 1000D / XS can shoot JPEGs until the card is full, whereas its predecessor stopped at 27.

In terms of bundled optics, the 1000D / XS is available in a kit with the latest EF-S 18-55mm IS lens, providing a basic range with optical stabilisation. Canon traditionally launches at least one new accessory with every new DSLR, and joining the EOS 1000D / XS is the new Speedlite 430 EX II flashgun. This replaces the existing 430 EX model, offering fast and silent recycling, control from compatible EOS bodies and a quick release mounting system first seen on the 580 EX II.

While some enthusiasts and owners of older models will lament certain feature downgrades on the new 1000D / XS, the fact is it ticks two important boxes most new budget DSLR buyers are looking for: Image Stabilisation and Live View. Couple this with 10 Megapixel resolution and Canon’s reputation for creating best-selling models and the success of the 1000D / XS isn’t in any doubt. But is it actually any good?

In our full review of the EOS 1000D / Rebel XS we’ll closely compare it against its predecessor, the 400D / XTi and the next model up in the range, the 450D / XSi. You’ll find out how the features, image quality and prices compare, along with seeing how the latest Canon measures-up against key rivals from other manufacturers. So read on to find out if the 1000D / XS is the new leader in the 10 Megapixel entry-level DSLR market.