Canon Powershot G10

Though somewhat overshadowed by the news of the new EOS 5d MkII, Canon also announced the Powershot G10, an update of the very highly regarded G9. The Canon Powershot G10 is the top of the line "P&S" Powershot digicam, though "P&S" isn't really justified here. Though it has a small "digicam" sized sensor (7.6 x 5.7mm, which is bigger than some), The Canon Powershot G10 has provision for external flash (Canon Speedlite), the ability to shot in RAW mode and a full set of exposure and focus modes and manual control of most aspects of the camera are possible.

The Canon Powershot G10 has a 28-140mm lens (35 mm equivalent), a 14.7MP sensor (1/1.7" = 7.60 x 5.7mm) , a 3" LCD and uses the new Canon Digic IV processing engine.

For those wanting the ultimate in a small, pocketable camera that can either stand alone or serve as a backup for a Canon EOS system, the Powershot G10 is clearly the front runner. The Canon Powershot G10 should be available in October at an initial price of $499.99. You can pre-order the Canon Powershot G10 from Amazon.com and it will ship as soon as it arrives. No charge is made on your credit card until it actually ships.

Canon Press Release on the Canon Powershot G10

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., September 17, 2008 – Canon U.S.A., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the newest addition to its top-of-the line PowerShot G-series digital cameras. The PowerShot G10 digital camera offers serious amateur shooters and professional photographers several essential ingredients for a flagship model, including Canon's new DIGIC 4 image processor, 28mm Optical Image Stabilized lens and RAW mode. This trilogy of style, performance and image quality is an ideal professional complement for anyone seeking the photo quality of a DSLR, combined with the convenient size of a point-and-shoot.

As the successor model to the popular PowerShot G9 digital camera, the PowerShot G10 digital camera is loaded with Canon's latest technologies, including a long-anticipated 28 mm wide-angle lens with 5x optical zoom, 14.7 megapixels and 3.0-inch Pure Color LCD II screen.

"With exquisite image quality, the latest image processor and advanced functionality, the Canon PowerShot G10 digital camera brings an elevated level of performance and usability to the PowerShot line," said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "By enhancing key technologies in this camera, including our proprietary DIGIC 4 image processor, Canon has merged the functions typically found in a DSLR with a smaller body form to provide affordable and portable options to photo enthusiasts of all types."

Control Options

The controller wheel is equipped with a dedicated Exposure Compensation Dial, which allows quick and intuitive adjustment of exposure compensation and the "My Menu" function for registering five user-selected options from the shooting menu, as well as 26 shooting modes. Additionally, the Custom Mode better allows the user to record two types of shooting parameter settings, thus offering the ability to arrange their most often used settings on their LCD display. A host of accessory options are offered, including the remote switch, Macro Ring Lite and Macro Twin Lite (when used with an additional attachment, available in January 2009). Now consumers can utilize similar accessories found in the Canon EOS line, therefore expanding a user's ability to customize.

Canon DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor

The newly upgraded DIGIC 4 image processor, a proprietary technology, accounts for the camera's higher performance levels, including significantly improved signal processing speed and higher image quality.

One of the most important new features made possible by the DIGIC 4 image processor is Servo AF, which is a form of continuous focus tracking for moving subjects. By pressing the shutter button half-way, the camera can track subject movement up to the instant of exposure, resulting in sharper photographs. Additionally, the processor's high ISO speed noise reduction processing has improved substantially to enable consumers to shoot high-quality images, even in extremely dark situations without the use of a flash. The new Intelligent Contrast Correction function automatically improves image quality in high-contrast shooting situations.

The Genuine Canon Face Detection technology has evolved even further, thanks to DIGIC 4. Improved features include the ability to recognize human faces at most angles. Another innovation is the Face Detection Self-Timer, which automatically takes a photo two seconds after a new face enters the scene.

Availability and Pricing

Scheduled to be available in October, the PowerShot G10 digital camera will have an estimated selling price of $499.99*. Kit contents will include a battery, charger, neck strap, USB and A/V interface cables, Canon Digital Solutions Software CD, and a 1-year Canon U.S.A., Inc. limited warranty.

Canon Powershot G10 Full Specifications

Type of Camera
Type of Camera	Compact digital still camera with built-in flash, 5x Optical/4x Digital/20x Combined Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer System
Image Capture Device
Type	14.7 Megapixel, 1/1.7-inch (7.6 x 5.7mm)type Charge Coupled Device (CCD)
Total Pixels	Approx. 15.0 Megapixels
Effective Pixels	Approx. 14.7 Megapixels
Lens
Focal Length	6.1-30.5mm f/2.8-4.5 (35mm film equivalent: 28-140mm)
Digital Zoom	4x
Focusing Range	Normal: 1.6 ft./50cm-infinity Macro: 0.39 in.-1.6 ft./1-50cm (W)
Autofocus System	TTL Autofocus
Viewfinder & Monitor
Viewfinder	Real image optical zoom viewfinder
LCD Monitor	3.0-inch TFT color LCD with wide viewing angle
LCD Pixels	Approx. 461,000 pixels
LCD Coverage	100%
Aperture and Shutter
Maximum Aperture	f/2.8 (W) - f/4.5 (T)
Shutter Speed	15-1/4000 sec. (settable in Tv and M)
Exposure Control
ISO Sensitivity	Auto, High ISO Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600 equivalent (Standard output sensitivity. Recommended exposure index)
Light Metering Method	Evaluative*, Center-weighted average, Spot** * Control to incorporate facial brightness in Face Detection AF ** Metering frame is fixed to the center
Exposure Control Method	Program AE, Shutter Speed-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, i-Contrast, Manual; AE Lock, Safety Shift, Auto ISO Shift
Exposure Compensation	+/-2 stops in 1/3-stop increments
White Balance
White Balance Control	Auto, Preset (Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Underwater), Custom1, Custom2
Flash
Built-in Flash	Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro, Second-curtain synchro
Flash Range	12 in.-15 ft./30cm-4.6m (W), 1.6-9.2 ft./50cm-2.8m (T) (when sensitivity is set to ISO Auto)
Recycling Time	10 sec. or less (battery voltage=7.4V)
Flash Exposure Compensation	+/-2 stops in 1/3-stop increments
Shooting Specifications
Shooting Modes	Auto, P, Av, Tv, M, C1, C2, Special Scene (Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Sports, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Aquarium, Underwater, Indoor, ISO 3200, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot, Color Accent, Color Swap), Stitch Assist, Movie
Photo Effects	My Colors Vivid, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Custom
Self-Timer	Activates shutter after an approx. 2-sec./10-sec. delay, Face Self-Timer, Custom
Wireless Control	N/A
Continuous Shooting	Normal: approx. 1.3 fps; AF: approx. 0.7 fps; LV: approx. 0.7 fps (Large/Fine)
Image Storage
Storage Media	SD/SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard, MMC Plus Card, HC MMC Plus Card
File Format	Design rule for camera file system, DPOF Version 1.1
Image Compression	Normal, Fine, SuperFine
JPEG Compression Mode	Still Image: Exif 2.2 (JPEG) Movie: MOV (Image: H.264; Audio: Linear PCM (Monaural))
Number of Recording Pixels	Still Image: 4,416 x 3,312 (Large), 3,456 x 2,592 (Medium 1), 2,592 x 1,944 (Medium 2), 1,600 x 1,200 (Medium 3), 640 x 480 (Small), 4,416 x 2,480 (Widescreen) Movie: 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) available up to 4GB or 60 minutes
Playback Specifications
Playback Modes File	Still Image: Single, Magnification (approx. 2x-10x), Jump, Auto Rotate, Rotate, Resume, My Colors, My Category, Transition Effects, Histogram, Overexposure Warning, Index (9 thumbnails), Sound Memos, Slide Show, Red-eye Correction, RAW playback, Trimming, Resize, Image Inspection Tool, i-Contrast Movie: Normal Playback, Special Playback, Editing, Auto Rotate, Resume
Erasing Specifications
Erase Modes	Still Image: single image, select range, select by date, select by category, select by folder, all images Movie: part of movie, all of movie
Interfaces
Computer Interface	USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (mini-B jack)
Video Out	NTSC/PAL
Audio Out	Monaural
Other	SD Memory card slot; direct connection to Canon CP and SELPHY Compact Photo Printers, PIXMA Photo Printers and PictBridge-compatible printers via camera's USB 2.0 Hi-Speed cable
Power Supply
Power Source	1. Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery NB-7L 2. AC Adapter Kit ACK-DC50 (optional)
Shooting Capacity	Still Image: approx. 400 shots (NB-7L/LCD on)*, approx. 1,000 shots (NB-7L/LCD off) * LCD screen on. The above figures comply with CIPA testing standards and apply when fully-charged batteries are used.
Playback Time	Approx. 600 min. (NB-7L)
Physical Specifications
Operating Temperature	32-104°F/0-40°C
Operating Humidity	10-90%
Dimensions (WxHxD)	4.30 x 3.06 x 1.81 in./109.1 x 77.7 x 45.9mm
Weight	Approx. 12.3 oz./350g (camera body only)

The Canon Powershot G10 should be available in October at an initial price of $499.99. You can pre-order the Canon Powershot G10 from Amazon.com and it will ship as soon as it arrives. No charge is made on your credit card until it actually ships.