The PowerShot G10 is our flagship compact digital camera taking over from the PowerShot G9. It has a 14.7-megapixel CCD sensor, a DIGIC 4 image processor, and a new 5x zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle (35mm equiv.)

PowerShot G10

In this month's technical report, we take a look at the PowerShot G10, marketed in October 2008, and present some of its features in detail. The G10 has a 14.7-megapixel CCD sensor and a 5x zoom lens with a lens-shift image stabilizer (35mm-film equivalent focal length range: 28 - 140mm).

Photo 1: PowerShot G10

Development objectives The PowerShot G compact digital camera series has won rave reviews for pairing top-class image quality with commercial-grade reliability and all the sophisticated photography functions essential for the prosumer. The PowerShot G10 (Photo 1) was designed as the successor to the PowerShot G9 and comes with a DIGIC 4 image processor, a 14.7-megapixel CCD sensor, and a newly developed 5x zoom lens with a lens-shift image stabilizer and a 28 - 140mm 35mm-equivalent focal length range. The development objective is as follows. Design a highly finished digital camera with attention to the finest detail that carries on the PowerShot G series tradition of high image quality and rich functionality Feature 1: Advanced image quality DIGIC 4 provides high-quality image processing The PowerShot G10 uses the newly developed DIGIC 4 image processor. The DIGIC 4 offers remarkably better image quality thanks to more precise signal processing and revamped algorithms. With the DIGIC 4's faster noise-reduction processing, the G10 can offer comfortable continuous shooting even at high ISO speeds, when noise reduction is most critical, with almost no reduction in continuous shooting speed. Furthermore, the faster performance of the DIGIC 4 dramatically improves face detection and motion detection performance. CCD sensor with 14.7 effective megapixels The PowerShot G10 can render high-resolution images as large as 4416 × 3312 pixels by virtue of the combination of a 14.7-effective-megapixel CCD sensor and RGB filter. This is enough detail to make crisp enlargements as large as A2. High-quality 5x zoom lens with a lens-shift image stabilizer Many customers have been asking for a wider wide-angle lens since the PowerShot G7 went on sale. In answer to these requests, we developed a new f/2.8 - f/4.5 5x zoom lens with a lens-shift image stabilizer and a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 28 - 140mm especially for the PowerShot G10. The lens is constructed with 11 elements in nine groups, including one double-sided aspherical lens element. Its cemented lens elements and ultra-high refractive glass achieve superb aberration correction and are optimized to virtually eliminate aberration fluctuations when using the image stabilizer. Lens-shift image stabilizer Like the PowerShot G9, the G10 is equipped with a lens-shift image stabilizer to minimize the effects of camera shake on image quality. And with a redesigned gyrosensor and control circuitry, the G10's stabilizer gives the photographer stability equivalent to as much as a four-stop higher shutter speed. RAW support In answer to the requests of professionals and prosumers alike, the PowerShot G10 continues to offer the RAW mode found on the G9. The G10 uses the CR2 RAW format, which is also employed on EOS Digital cameras. The G9 came with the RAW Image Task software package, but the G10 is packaged with Digital Photo Professional (Table 1), the same software that is supplied with EOS Digital cameras. Digital Photo Professional gives full control over RAW image processing and its inclusion with the G10 represents a big leap in operability, since the same software can be used to process images from both the G10 and EOS Digital cameras.

Digital Photo Professional RAW Image Task Features Able to access application-only image processing functions; therefore, able to use the latest image algorithms. Offers virtually the same image processing as the camera's built-in processing and emphasizes the association of quality with the JPEG image. Functions Browsing, editing, and printing. Also possible to display, edit, and print JPEG images. Offers only functions needed for RAW image processing.

Table 1: Comparison of processing software packages

i-Contrast The PowerShot G10 is fitted with i-Contrast, a feature that adaptively adjusts the contrast correction based on an analysis of the exposure, dynamic range, and other characteristics of the captured image made during the signal processing stage. i-Contrast can brighten dark areas to bring out more details when, for example, a strong backlight leaves the subject in shadow. Since i-Contrast adjusts the contrast on a pixel-by-pixel basis, it avoids unnatural-looking seams between light and dark areas (Photo 2).

i-Contrast on i-Contrast off

Photo 2: i-Contrast

Furthermore, the superb DIGIC 4 noise-reduction performance ensures that noise is not noticeable after the i-Contrast adjustment. The i-Contrast feature is also useable at playback, so the user can make necessary adjustments after shooting as well. High-precision AE and AWB using iSAPS technology Feature 2: Outstanding functionality Further evolution of face detection technology and motion detection technology The PowerShot G10 represents a significant upgrade in face detection and motion detection from the DIGIC III era. Our new face detection technology is much better at recognizing faces at an angle. The detection time is also much shorter. Together, this means the G10 can easily detect faces at sleep, which the previous face detection technology had problems with (Photo 3).

DIGIC III: Face detection is problematic DIGIC 4: Able to detect the face

Photo 3: Face detection technology

The G10's motion detection technology is much better at tracking moving subjects. Specifically the new technology has a larger motion detection field and detects motions quicker. As a result, the G10 can easily detect a person moving toward the camera. Servo AF that continually tracks the subject The PowerShot G10 includes servo AF, which after first focusing on the subject with a half-press of the shutter button will continue to focus on the subject as it moves as long as the shutter button is held halfway down. If the camera detects a face, it will track the subject's face with the face detection feature (Photo 4).

Photo 4: Servo AF and motion detection technology

Face Self-timer The PowerShot G10, in addition to the conventional self-timer shutter release, comes with the Face Self-timer, which releases the shutter when a face is added to the frame. After the photographer presses the shutter button and then moves into the picture, the camera recognizes the additional face of the photographer and automatically releases the shutter. This saves the photographer from having to race back to the subject to get in the photo in time. *The Face Self-timer function will trigger the shutter automatically after 30 seconds if it does not detect a new face. Maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 sec. The PowerShot G10 increases the maximum shutter speed to 1/4000 sec. from the G9's 1/2500 sec. The faster shutter enables photographers to freeze fast-moving subjects better than before. MOV format The PowerShot G10 uses the MOV movie data format instead of the G9's AVI format. At nearly the same image quality, MOV files are about 60 percent the size of AVI files, which means users can record longer movies with the same amount of memory (Table 2).

640 × 480 pixels at 30 fps 320 × 280 pixels at 30 fps 2GB 23 min. 49 sec. 1 hr. 13 min. 10 sec. 8GB 1 hr. 35 min. 11 sec. 4 hr. 52 min. 24 sec.

Table 2: Movie recording times

Adjustable AF frame size Auto ISO Shift ISO 3200 - elevated ISO mode Image Inspection Tool Red-eye correction AF continuous shooting mode My Colors customization Selectable first/second-curtain flash synchronization Real-time histogram Focus bracketing/AE bracketing Resume playback Feature 3: Comfortable operation Exposure compensation dial Photographers using high-end models like the PowerShot G10 frequently adjust exposure compensation while shooting, so we added a new dedicated exposure compensation dial (Figure 1). The dial allows the exposure to be adjusted over a range of ±2 stops (in 1/3-stop intervals). The dial's size and position were selected for easy operation with the left thumb.

Figure 1: Exposure compensation dial

My menu High-end models have so many shooting settings that users are often forced to scroll up and down the menu screen to select or set the menu option they want. The ''My menu'' function allows the user to customize and save a menu screen with up to five frequently accessed shooting menu options (Figure 2). The user can also change the order of the menu options. This configurable menu screen greatly improves the camera's operability.

Figure 2: My menu setup

Remote switch The remote switch, an accessory for EOS Digital cameras, can be used with the G10. The remote switch lets the photographer take pictures regardless of the camera's position or orientation. Pure Color II 3.0-inch LCD monitor with 461,000 pixels The PowerShot G10's monitor is the same size as the G9's (3.0 inches) but has higher resolution- 461,000 pixels versus 230,000 pixels - for much more colorful playback. The Pure Color II LCD produces exceptionally high contrast even when viewed at an angle. The monitor's viewfinder coverage is 100 percent. Able to customize and save shooting parameters Metering button ISO dial Display of the total pixel count (rough estimate) Battery power indication Range-specified bulk printing and deleting Shutter sounds are linked to the actual shutter speed Control dial Playback button Custom info display Feature 4: Enhanced printing functions and digital communications Supports PictBridge ID Photo Print Movie print Able to enjoy the CANON iMAGEGATEWAY Web site Feature 5: Extensive line of camera accessories New NB-7L battery The new NB-7L battery was designed for use with the PowerShot G10. Although it is eleven percent larger than the previous NB-2LH battery, it has 46 percent more capacity. With this increased battery capacity, the G10 can take about 400 shots on one charge compared to about 240 shots with the G9. Accepts EX-series Speedlites and accessories The PowerShot G10's hot shoe accepts EX Speedlite flash units, including the 580EX II, 430EX II, and 220EX, just like EOS Digital cameras.*1 The G10 is also designed to accept the ST-E2 Speedlite transmitter, the MR-14EX macro ring lite,*2 and the MT-24EX macro twin lite.*2 *1 The SB-E2 and OC-E3 can also be used. *2 Requires the BKT-DC1 - slated to go on sale in January 2009 - the LA-DC58K conversion lens adaptor, and the OC-E3 off-camera shoe cord. Waterproof case The WC-DC28 waterproof case is available as an option for the PowerShot G10. When sealed in the case, the camera can be used at depths to 40 meters. Soft case The SC-DC60A soft case, made from top-quality cowhide, is an optional accessory that protects the camera body. Three other soft cases - SC-DC60B (brown), SC-DC60C (red), and SC-DC60D (yellow) - are optional accessories available exclusively to registered CANON iMAGE GATEWAY members (Photo 5).

Photo 5: Soft cases

Ring accessory kit The three-color ring accessory kit that was so popular with the PowerShot G9 is available for the G10 as well. This kit is available exclusively to registered CANONiMAGE GATEWAY members. Tele-converter A tele-converter with a 1.4x magnification is available for the G10. At the telephoto end, the tele-converter extends the focal length to about 200mm (35mm-film equivalent). Supports HC MMCplus cards

Photo 6: PowerShot G10 and its kit components

This concludes our look at the PowerShot G10 this month. Table 3 lists the main specifications of the PowerShot G10. Photo 6 illustrates the kit components that come with the camera. There is no fixed suggested retail price for the PowerShot G10.