Refine search for Digital Cameras

  Leave a comment      Email this to a friend TrustedReviews Newsletters

Canon’s PowerShot G5 is a 5 megapixel pro-sumer digital camera with a 4X optical zoom, 32MB memory card and a high level of photographic control. It’s the fourth PowerShot G model to be released, succeeding the popular G1, G2 and G3, and positioned against the likes of Nikon’s Coolpix 5400 and Sony’s Cybershot DSC-V1 – although at £679.99, the G5 weighs in at the most expensive of the three.

The G5 has an angular, brick-like design immediately recognisable to anyone familiar with the G3; indeed it’s essentially the same camera now equipped with a 5 megapixel sensor and smart black finish. Measuring 121 x 74 x 70mm and weighing 481g with battery, the G5 may be larger, heavier and arguably less stylish than many of its rivals, but the build quality is superb and it’s more comfortable to hold and use than it first looks; that said, not all hands will find the grip equally ergonomic.

Images are composed using either the optical viewfinder or 1.8in screen. On the downside, the lens barrel is visible in the lower left corner of the optical viewfinder, but more than compensating is the sharp and bright screen which can be twisted out and flipped-round; this allows you to comfortably take shots at waist-level or ground height, over the heads of crowds, or to even see yourself in a self-portrait.

The built-in flash is joined by a fully-functional hotshoe designed for Canon EX Speedlight flashguns. Beyond the standard flash modes are a slow-synchro and rear curtain option. There’s also a highly detailed LCD status panel on the top surface – an increasing rarity these days, but invaluable for checking exposure, battery and shots remaining without powering up the main colour screen.

Behind a hinged door on one side lie the USB, AV and DC input ports. The G5 is powered by a lithium ion battery which recharges in-camera; the supplied charger usefully doubles-up as an AC adapter for the camera. A slim infrared remote control is also supplied, which is handy for self-portraits or adjusting slideshows.

The G5 features a 4X optical zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent range of 35-140mm. Its actual focal length is 7.2 – 28.8mm with a bright focal ratio of f2.0~3.0. The lens extends 2.5cm during its four second power-up, and prods the cap off if you’ve forgotten to remove it.

Three optional lens attachments are available, offering 0.7X and 1.75X magnifications, along with one dedicated to better close-ups. That said, the G5’s standard closest focussing distance in macro mode of 5cm is fairly respectable. Finally, the G5’s manual focus option displays a distance bar on-screen and temporarily magnifies the centre to help.

The G5 employs a (1/1.8in) 5 megapixel sensor which delivers 4:3 aspect ratio images with a maximum resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels – sufficient to make a good-looking 13 x 10in colour inkjet print at 200 ppi. Three lower resolutions can be selected, and there are also three levels of JPEG compression to choose from. A 12-bit losslessly-compressed RAW mode is also available for those desiring the ultimate quality, along with software supplied to process the files; there’s no uncompressed TIFF option though.

Using the maximum resolution and default Fine compression, images measure around 1.5MB each. The best-quality Superfine mode employs lower compression to deliver JPEGs measuring around 2.8MB each – relatively large, but virtually free from artefacts and recommended if you have sufficient storage.

The G5 has a Compact Flash slot which can accept thicker Type-II cards and is certified for use with the IBM Microdrive. Canon supplies a 32MB Compact Flash card which can hold around 11 or 21 images at the top resolution in Superfine or Fine modes respectively.

A 12-position dial on top of the G5 selects between Auto, Program, Manual, Aperture and Shutter Priority, two custom modes, three scene presets, a stitch-assist for making easy panoramic shots and a movie mode which can capture up to three minutes of video (with mono sound) at 320 x 240 pixels and 15 frames per second. Shutter speeds run between 15 seconds and 1/2000, but there’s no Bulb option for longer exposures.

Sensitivity is rated between 50 and 400 ISO and there’s a Neutral Density filter option in case conditions get too bright for your desired exposure. The burst mode can capture up to seven best-quality frames at two frames per second. Sadly there’s no live histogram option when shooting.

A neat addition is the G5’s time-lapse function which automatically takes two to 100 images at intervals between one and 60 minutes each – if you’re going for an all-day shoot though, it’s wise to power the camera from the supplied AC adapter. Included in the software bundle is a Remote Capture utility, which also allows you to control the G5 via a PC or Mac.

The combination of excellent metering, sharp optics and Canon’s improved DIGIC processor delivers some of the best quality images we’ve seen from any 5 megapixel camera. They’re smooth, yet packed with detail and when viewed at 1:1 are almost bereft of compression or sharpening artefacts which plague many other cameras. Most impressive of all is its ability to record detail in bright highlights which is lost on most of its rivals. The average macro is the only optical disappointment.

On the downside, the G5’s feature-set is based on an older camera and it’s beginning to look a little dated. The movie mode is limited to 320 x 240 video, there’s no live histogram and a maximum sensitivity of only 400 ISO. Physically the G5’s body is also bigger and heavier than its closest rivals, not to mention pricier too – indeed it’s only £20 less than the longer-zoomed Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F717.

These are all reasons why ultimately the G5 loses out to cheaper and better-featured cameras like Sony’s V1 and Nikon’s 5400. That said, the G5’s images are quite simply superior to its competition, and they’ll more than compensate the photographer who rates picture quality beyond cost, weight and gadgets.

Verdict

Canon’s PowerShot G5 handles beautifully, offers a vast range of photographic control and delivers probably the best quality pictures we’ve seen from any 5 megapixel camera. The features are looking dated though and the body is hefty compared to the competition. It’s also the priciest of its rivals, but the one to go for if picture-quality rates more highly then cost, weight and gadgets. Overall, highly recommended.

Add your comment