This first Technical Report of the year 2001 presents the PowerShot G1, a top-of-the-line digital camera equipped with a 3.34 megapixel CCD and a 3x zoom lens (35mm film equivalent focal length: 34 - 102mm).
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| Photo 1 PowerShot G1 (front view) |
Photo 2 PowerShot G1 (rear view) |
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Concept of development
The PowerShot G1 (see Photos 1 and 2) is a new model developed as a first-class compact digital camera to achieve the following objectives:
Develop the finest compact digital camera for the finest compact digital camera class
• CCD with 3.34 million pixels, the highest pixel class
• 3x zoom with the largest aperture in its class
• Image engine capable of high-speed image processing
• New RAW mode to prevent image degradation
• Shooting functions optimally applicable to conditions
• Comfortable stress-free operation
• Comprehensive set of system accessories and software
Feature 1: High-resolution 3.34 megapixel CCD using the CF card as its recording media
A 1/1.8" CCD with 3.34 million pixels (about 3.24 million effective pixels) is used as the imaging element to achieve the high-image-quality reproduction consisting of 2,048 x 1,536 recording pixels. This specification realizes a photo-quality print of as large as A4 size (about 8 x 10"). The PowerShot G1 records images on a CompactFlash (CF) card (Type I or II) which is widely used and robust. When the 16MB type CF card bundled with the camera is used, it is possible to shoot about 8 frames in the Large/Fine mode to 160 frames in the Small/Normal mode (see Table 1).
| Table 1 Number of images recordable on a 16MB CF card | |||
| Size of image / Compression ratio | File size | Number of recordable images |
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| L (Large) 2,048 x 1,536 pixels |
Superfine | 1,722KB | 8 |
| Fine | 943KB | 15 | |
| Normal | 468KB | 32 | |
| M (Medium)
1,024 x 768 pixels |
Superfine | 591KB | 25 |
| Fine | 329KB | 45 | |
| Normal | 174KB | 84 | |
| S (Small)
640 x 480 pixels |
Superfine | 273KB | 54 |
| Fine | 156KB | 94 | |
| Normal | 88KB | 161 | |
| RAW 2,048 x 1,536 pixels | 2,469KB | 5 | |
| Movie 320 x 240 pixels | -- | 62 sec. | |
| [Note] These figures may vary according to the subject, shooting conditions and shooting mode. | |||
The lens consists of 8 elements in 7 groups (see Fig. 1), in which two high refractive index aspherical lenses are arranged optimally to achieve good compensations for various types of aberrations as well as to provide the resolution necessary for the 3.34 megapixel CCD with a pixel pitch of 3.45 micrometers. By placing a cemented doublet lens within the third lens group, chromatic aberration is corrected over the entire zoom range, the complete elimination of which is difficult to achieve with the aspherical lenses alone. Outstanding image reproduction is achieved despite the fact the system is configured with a small number of lens elements to be compatible with the retracting barrel design.
Although the closest normal shooting distance is 70cm, it is possible to shoot as close as 6 cm (at wide angle) in macro mode, filling the frame with a business card size (82 x 60mm).
In addition, since an iris diaphragm aperture mechanism is used and the lens has a large aperture, pleasing out-of-focus effects are possible. It is possible to shoot a picture with fading the background, that is obtainable by the large diameter lens.
[NOTE] By using the digital zoom (aka digital teleconverter) function, it is possible to shoot pictures with the double or quadruple the lens focal length.
Feature 3: High-precision white balance
The screen is divided into several hundred thousands blocks. Data from these blocks is collecting and processing to produce the automatic white balance settings necessary to faithfully reproduce the color of the subject. In addition to the preset white balance settings (daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, and flash), it is possible to customize the white balance by having the camera evaluate a white piece of paper. Outstanding color balance can be achieved even when shooting in the photo studio.
Feature 4: Continued development of the EOS concept, with 12 shooting modes
Inherited from the EOS system are multiple shooting modes to satisfy not only general users, but also advanced amateur and semi-professional photographers. The photographer can respond optimally to any shooting condition. Also inherited from the EOS is the mode dial (see Fig. 2) that groups the shooting modes easily distinguished shooting zones such as the completely automatic AUTO, the simple image-specific automatic modes in the Image zone, and the more advanced modes in the Creative zone for advanced applications.
| Fig. 2 Mode Dial / Main Dial |
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Shooting modes
[1] AUTO: Fully automatic mode
(Creative Zone)
[2] P: Program AE mode
[3] Tv: Shutter Priority AE mode
The shutter speed can be set in 1/3-stop increments at any level between 1/1,000 second and 8 seconds.
[4] Av: Aperture-Priority AE mode
The aperture control can be set in 1/3-stop increments within the range of f/2 - f/8. The reason that the minimum aperture is restricted at f/8 is to prevent the degradation of the image reproduction capability due to diffraction.
[5] Manual Exposure
(Image Zone)
[6] Pan Focus
[7] Portrait
[8] Landscape
[9] Night Scene
[10] Black and White
This mode produces a monochrome picture. Camera control in this mode is identical to AUTO mode.
[11] Stitch Assist
This mode is very powerful when multiple shots of overlapping images are to be merged into a high-resolution panoramic image automatically through computer processing.
[12] Movie
A moving image, each frame 320 x 240 pixels, can be shot at 15 frames per second, together with a voice recording up to 30 seconds long.
Automatic noise reduction function during long exposure
With shutter speeds slower than 1.3 seconds, the noise reduction processing starts automatically. After the exposure, another "exposure" is made with the same shutter speed but with the aperture closed to record only the noise data. The noise component can then be subtracted from the real exposure, resulting in the good cancellation of the noise component in the original frame, and a clear picture is obtained even under low brightness condition.
Feature 5: ISO conversion speed selection over 50 - 400
The ISO speed can be set by selecting from the settings of Auto/ISO 50/100/200/400. In the Auto mode, the camera adjusts the optimum speed automatically as long as the ISO speed is within the range of ISO 50 - 100.
Feature 6: Optical viewfinder and variable TFT liquid crystal monitor
The PowerShot G1 has two viewfinders, optical and electronic.
The optical viewfinder is a real-image zoom viewfinder with picture coverage of 84%. It has eyesight correction (-3 - +1 diopter) to secure clear visibility satisfying to the viewer.
The electronic finder is a 1.8" multi-angle liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor (picture coverage of 97%). It freely rotates in three dimensions. As a result, the PowerShot G1 allows high-angle, low-angle and interview photos very comfortably and freely.
Feature 7: Stress-free, quick and easy operation
Stress-free shooting interval of approximately 1.8 seconds
The PowerShot G1 incorporates the "Imaging Engine", Canon's unique digital signal processing IC, which permits a shooting interval of about 1.8 seconds despite the high pixel count. With the built-in high-speed data compression and expansion, the user can perform without stress the functions that usually require long processing time, such as for the starting up the camera and replay scrolling.
New user interface
The PowerShot G1 makes operations intuitive. The outstanding operability is realized by its design. It has coaxial stacked main and mode dials. The operating status of the camera is indicated on a large display panel (see Fig. 3) located on the top of the camera.
| Fig. 3 Nomenclature |
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| Feature
8: Compatible with EOS EX-series flash The PowerShot G1 is equipped with a dedicated hot shoe for EX-series Speedlite Flashes from the EOS camera line. Using an EX-series Speedlite (see Fig. 3), it is possible to perform the following Autozoom flash shooting with a more powerful flash than the built-in one. • Preflash evaluative metering shooting • Flash Exposure (FE) lock shooting • Daylight sync shooting • Slow sync shooting • Flash metering compensation [Note] High-speed sync (FP Flash) and wireless multiple autoflash are not possible. |
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Feature 9: Large capacity power supply system
Lithium-ion battery (type: BP-511)
A high-capacity lithium-ion rechargeable battery is used as the built-in power source. When the battery is fully charged, it is capable of shooting a large number of pictures, about 260 frames with the LCD monitor turned on, and about 800 frames with the LCD monitor turned off. A fully-charged battery allows viewing recorded images for about 160 minutes.
This lithium-ion battery is common with other Canon products including the digital video camcorders FV-2 and FV-10, as well as with the EOS D30 digital SLR camera.
The battery recharges in about 80 minutes. Recharging is possible either by the built-in system, by using a compact power adapter, or by a car battery.
AC (Mains) power supply
The PowerShot G1 can be operated from a household power outlet by using the Compact Power Adapter CA-PS560.
Automobile battery power supply
Power can also be supplied from a car battery with the use of the Charge Adapter/Car Battery Cable Kit, CR-560, which is an optional accessory.
Feature 10: Other features
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Center-weighted average metering, spot metering,
and the AE Lock are possible |
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AEB shooting is possible |
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Wireless operation is possible with the special
remote control that comes bundled with the camera |
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The built-in flash has 5 control modes |
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The following optional optical accessories, which
are separately sold to magnify the shooting range, are also available: • 0.8x wide angle lens converter • 1.5x tele-converter • Close-up lens, 250D The Conversion Lens Adapter, LA-DC58 is required to install these accessories. It is installed on the camera body after detaching the external ring of the lens barrel. |
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Compatible with the USB interface |
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Worldwide video compatibility with NTSC/PAL switching
function |
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Separately sold software with many functions, including image capture and management, creation of panoramic, autolayout function, release control from the PC, and development of RAW images (the original image data that are not processed within the camera at the time of recording) is available. |
Finally, the PowerShot G1 camera is 119.7mm (width) x 76.8mm (height) x 63.8mm (depth), and its weight (without accessories) is approximately 420g. The recommended retail price in Japan is 115,000 yen (before tax).
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| Photo 4 Contents of the PowerShot G1 kit |
(from top clockwise) PowerShot G1 camera / AV Cable / Lens Cap / CompactFlash card (16MB recording capacity) / Compact Power Adapter / AC Cable / Wireless Controller / Battery Pack / Neck Strap |