Canon Powershot G15 and Powershot S110 Preview
Canon have announced updates of the G12 and S100 Powershot cameras to the G15 and S110 models. These cameras are of significant interest to serious photographers since they both offer RAW capture as well as JPEG. RAW files allow significantly more post exposure manipulation than RAW files, including the ability to do such things as change the white balance setting, compensate for under and overexposure, adjust the noise filters etc.
The Powershot G15
The major feature on the G15 is a faster lens. The G12 had a 28-140/2.8-4.5 zoom (in 35mm full frame equivalent terms), while the G15 has the same focal length range but is 1 1/3 stops faster at f1.8-f2.8. Canon comment that it's "...great for low-light shooting or dramatic shallow depth of field..", but take that with a grain of salt. Yes, it is better for low light shooting, but even with a fast lens you're not going to get with a small sensor camera. In fact, with an approximate "crop factor" around 4.6 for the 1/1.7" sensor of the G15, the G15 lens wide open (f1.8) at its wide angle setting (6.1mm = 28mm in FF 35mm terms) gives you about the same DOF as a 28mm lens on a full frame camera at around f8. Hardly a recipe for a "dramatic shallow depth of field". Of course the same applies to every other small sensor compact digican too.
The G15 also has a new sensor. The G12 had a 10MP back illuminated CCD, while the new G15 has a 12.1MP CMOS sensor. What difference that makes to image quality and ISO noise remains to be seen. The G15 add 1080HD video, a larger LCD (3" vs. 2.8"), a popup flash (the G12 flash is fixed in the camera), extended ISO range and faster AF. ISO on the G15 is 80-12800, while on the G12 is's 80-3200, with ISO up to 12800 available but only in a lower (2.5MP) resolution mode.
However not all the changes are positive since the G15 drops several of the G12's most useful features. The tilt and swivel LCD of the g12 is gone, replaced by a fixed LCD on the G15. In addition, the manual ISO dial of the G12 has also been eliminated, though a manual dial for exposure compensation remains. I've always found both of those features on my G12 to be very useful. The G15 also uses a smaller (and lower capacity) battery than the G12.
If you missed it, here's the link to my full review of the Canon Powershot G12
The table below is from Canon. The only change I've made is in the price they had for the G12 (It's technically $499 list, but sells for much less, typically around $379 at the moment).
The price of the Powershot G15 will be $499.99 and it will be available in October 2012.
Powershot S110
The S110 is sort of a miniature version of the G15, as the S100 was a miniature version of the G12, at least as far as the internals of the cameras go. The S110 and G15 have the same sensor and the same RAW shooting capacity as well as a very similar set of software features. Where the S110 differs is in its size and weight (much smaller and lighter), it's lack of direct manual controls, it's lack of provision for an external flash. The S110 lens is 24-120/2-5.9, so it's a bit slow at the long end. The S110 does add built in Wi-Fi and a touch screen (fixed).
The price of the Canon Powershot S110 will be $449.99 and it's expected to be available in October 2012.
Here's a copy of part of Canon's Press Release:
PowerShot G15 Digital Camera
The powerful new PowerShot G15 builds upon the success of the G-series providing some of the most advanced features in Canon’s PowerShot lineup. The PowerShot G15 continues this tradition with a new 28mm wide-angle f/1.8 – f/2.8 lens with 5x optical zoom, great for low-light shooting or dramatic shallow depth of field. The PowerShot G15 includes Canon’s HS SYSTEM where the camera’s DIGIC 5 image processor and newly designed Canon 1/1.7-inch 12.1-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS image sensor work in tandem to enhance low-light image quality at a maximum ISO speed of 12800. Enabling creative video capture, the PowerShot G15 shoots 1080p Full HD video with a built-in stereo microphone for great sound and zooming is enabled for optimal framing while recording.
The PowerShot G15 also features advancements in Canon’s AF system with improved AF times and reduced lag over previous G-series models. These AF improvements also enhance the High-Speed Burst HQ mode allowing for continuous capture of up to 10 frames at 12.1-megapixels. While shooting still images or recording video the camera also utilizes Canon’s Intelligent IS to stabilize the image and provide crisp photos and steady video.
The PowerShot G15 retains an accessory shoe for Speedlites and an optical viewfinder as an option to the bright 3.0-inch 922,000-dot LCD display. For even more creative options, the PowerShot G15 can accommodate additional optional accessories such as the Tele Converter Lens, a Conversion Lens Adapter to allow the attachment of a Macro Ring Lite or Macro Twin Lite to the camera, and a threaded Filter Adapter for 58mm lens filters. For the wet and wild underwater adventurer the new PowerShot G15 also has an optional WP-DC48 Waterproof Case, capable of diving to depths of up to 130 feet.
PowerShot S110 Digital Camera
Style, performance and wireless connectivity fit into your pocket with the new PowerShot S110 digital camera. Built-in Wi-Fi features allow the camera to share images and video to social networking sites through the Canon iMAGE GATEWAY or to Wi-Fi enabled devices such as iOS or Android smartphones and tablets with the free download of the Canon CameraWindow app, or to other select PowerShot cameras, or to a PC. The advanced wireless features let the camera act as a wireless network and record GPS data acquired from a smartphone using the free download of the Canon CameraWindow appvii, or send images directly to a Wi-Fi compatible printerviii.
The PowerShot S110 includes a 24mm wide-angle lens with 5x optical zoom and bright f/2.0 aperture ideal for low-light photography or soft backgrounds with shallow depth of field. Featuring Canon’s HS SYSTEM, the PowerShot S110 camera’s DIGIC 5 image processor and newly designed Canon 1/1.7-inch 12.1-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS image sensor work together to enhance low-light image quality at a maximum ISO speed of 12800. As with the PowerShot G15, the PowerShot S110 also features advancements in Canon’s AF system with improved AF times and reduced lag over previous S-series models. These AF improvements also enhance the High-Speed Burst HQ mode allowing for continuous capture of up to 10 frames at 12.1-megapixels. The video capabilities of the PowerShot S110 are equally impressive with 1080p Full HD video, built-in stereo microphone, optical zoom while shooting, and convenient playback via HDMI output. Camera menu navigation, image playback and viewing has been made simple and intuitive with a 3.0-inch wide capacitive touch panel LCD screen, along with Canon’s Touch Shutter feature, which makes shooting easy and interactive .
The camera’s Intelligent IS system matches the shooting conditions with one of six stabilization modes for smooth video and sharp images. Diving and underwater enthusiasts will enjoy the new optional PowerShot S110 waterproof case, the WP-DC47, capable of diving to depths of up to 130 feet.