Canon Powershot G10 Preview

Canon’s latest G-Series is a sexy, 14.7-megapixel high-end compact digital camera. Looking more like a serious rangefinder than ever, the Canon PowerShot G10 has a 5x wide-angle optical zoom lens (28 - 140mm equivalent) with optical image stabilization, Servo AF auto focus, DIGIC 4 image processing, RAW shooting, and a 3-inch LCD display. Canon also claims better noise reduction, which should mean better image quality at higher ISO settings, making faster shutter speeds possible as well as improving low-light photography.I have to say, the G10’s looks have me feeling a little more lusty than I usually am for compact cameras. I am curious if it feels as substantial as it looks. The grip and the knobs have a very serious form-follows-function design that I like. I don’t like to get too caught up in camera look and feel. But sometimes style speaks. And the G10 is saying - “Love me. Hold me. Caress Me.”


Most interesting to me are the G10’s 28mm equivalent wide-angle lens and the Servo AF auto focus. One of my main complaints when I reviewed the G9
was the lens wasn’t wide enough. And I think a 28mm wide end takes care of that problem. Regarding the Servo AF feature - there are a lot of pro photographers anxiously waiting for a compact camera that can perform like a DSLR. A couple of the missing elements are reaction time and auto focus performance. The PowerShot G10 looks like it may have significant improvements in those areas. Servo AF is an indicator of Canon’s intention to make this a high-performance camera. But as always, it’s best to reserve judgment until we have an actual camera in-hand to test. Right now all we can do is speculate

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.

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Source: http://reviews.photographyreview.com/blog/canon-powershot-g10/2/

Canon Pixma iP4500 Photo Inkjet Printer Review

Canon's PIXMA MP600 has been the mainstay of its all-in-one range, so it'll be a hard act for the newly introduced PIXMA MP610 to follow. Both machines are intended for the small and home office markets, as colour all-in-ones for printing plain paper pages and photographs.

The MP610 continues the look of its predecessor; a sort of irregular octagon in black and silver, with elongated sides at front and rear. At the back is a near-vertical, 150-sheet paper feed tray and there's a separate paper cassette, again 150-sheet capacity, which slots in underneath from the front. The front cover folds down to make a paper-out tray and there's a CD/DVD carrier which can also be slotted in - though it's a bit fiddly - once an internal flap's been lowered.

A 62mm LCD folds up from the front lip of the scanner lid so you can view photo thumbnails from any memory card; there are slots behind a cover to the right of the output tray for all formats except xD, an odd omission. The control panel the LCD display reveals uses Canon's intuitive, rotating finger-disc for selecting menu options and there are context-sensitive function keys, too.

This multifunction printer, scanner and copier connects to mains power and a PC via a USB connection at the back, so there's very little difference from the MP600, so far. There are worthwhile improvements, though. For a start, the optical scan resolution has been increased fourfold from 2,400 x 4,800ppi (pixels per inch) to 4,800 x 9,600ppi. Then there's Auto-Image Fix, which can correct for brightness, contrast and saturation in images you load and print directly.

The MP610 comes with a good suite of software, including PhotoStudio and OmniPage, and prints commendably quickly in most modes. A five-page text document took just over half a minute and, although we couldn't match Canon's claim for a borderless 15 x 10cm photo in 21 seconds, we did manage just under 40 seconds in standard mode, which is still good. The only fly in the speed ointment is the machine's duplex speed. Our double-sided print test took nearly nine minutes, due to enforced drying time between sides.

Print costs are reasonable, at around 1.8p for a black ISO page and 5p for a colour one, and print quality is excellent on both plain paper and in photos. There's plenty of image detail and colours are both natural and vivid when you need them to be. The device has separate black inks, tailored to text and photo prints

Canon - PIXMA MP610 features - Verdict
While there's not a huge difference between Canon's PIXMA MP610 and the MP600 it replaced, the increased resolution in the scanner and improved automatic photo fixing are both welcome. Canon's range of all-in-ones remains one of the best on the market and the well-priced MP610 takes its place well.