Canon PowerShot G6 7.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom

Canon PowerShot G6 7.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom
Manufacturer: Canon
Product Type: Photography

Editorial Review:
Product Description
The Canon PowerShot G6 7MP digital camera gives you an enhanced optical shooting system with a truly stunning image quality. Its 7.1 megapixel CCD gives your largest prints a smooth, serious level of detail with sharp, colorful, lifelike images and is optimized by a new optical system for superb image clarity. The camera is also equipped with an exceptionally powerful and responsive 4x optical, 4.1x digital and 16x combined zoom with a fine-tuned drive mechanism that speeds nimbly from the wide-end to the telephoto end in under 2 seconds. Camera also features a 2" TFT color LCD screen; VGA-size (640x480) movie mode; 12 EOS-based shooting modes and photo effects; built-in flash and auto and red-eye reduction on/off operation modes. Accepts a CompactFlash Type I or Type II memory card. Imported. 3Hx4Wx3D".

Average customer rating:

Love this camera
Take the "pro-sumer" title seriously
Two weeks old and dead
Good, but with flaws
Everything I Want in a Digital Camera

Canon PowerShot G6 7.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom

Manufacturer: Canon
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

Digital Cameras | Canon | Camera & Photo Brands | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics

All Canon | Canon | Camera & Photo Brands | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics

Digital Cameras | Used Photo & Camera | Specialty Stores | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics

All Digital Cameras | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

4x Optical Zoom & Up | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

6 Megapixels & Up | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

Point-and-Shoot Digital Cameras | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

Digital Cameras | Canon | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics

All Canon | Canon | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics

Canon PSC-70 Deluxe Soft Camera Case for the Powershot S1 IS & G6
Canon Powershot G Series Accessory Kit for G6 Digital Camera
SanDisk SDCFH-1024-901 1 GB Ultra II CompactFlash Card (Retail Package)
Canon LADC58D Conversion Lens Adapter for Powershot G6 Digital Camera
SanDisk SDCFH-512-901 512 MB Ultra II CompactFlash Card (Retail Package)

Accessories:

Canon STE2 Speedlite Transmitter for 580EX/550EX/420EX Speedlites
Canon CR560 Charge Adapter/Car Battery Cable Kit for 500 Series Batteries
Canon CA-PS560A Compact Power Adapter for G1, G2, G3, G5, G6, Pro 90 & Pro1 Digital Cameras
Tamrac 5693 Digital 3 Bag for Canon G3, G5, G6, & S1 IS (Black)
Canon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Flash for 5D, 1DS, 20D, G3, G5, G6, Pro 1 & Rebel XT/XTi

Product Features:

7.1-megapixel PowerShot digital camera with a fast f2.0-3.0, 35-140mm (35mm equivalent) lens in a compact body
New ergonomic design includes an enhanced SLR-type grip for better handling and 2.0-inch LCD panel
9-point AiAF for precise and accurate focusing
12 EOS-based shooting modes
Print directly to Canon photo printers or any PictBridge-compatible printer

ASIN: B0002OE2P8

Product Description

This exciting successor in the high-performance G-Series takes a big step forward with a new optical system that optimizes the impressive 7.1-Megapixel CCD for crystal clear image quality. And while the camera is loaded with SLR-style functions and sports a 2-inch LCD monitor, it's more compact than its predecessor, the G5. 9-point AiAF for Precise, Accurate Focus 12 EOS-based Shooting Modes plus Photo Effects, Super Macro Mode, Wide-area FlexiZone AF/AE and Spot Metering + Manual Up to 640x480 VGA-quality Movies; ID Photo Print and Movie Print Print Direct from Canon Direct and PictBridge Photo Printers Built-in Flash - Operation Modes - Auto On/Off, Red-Eye Reduction On/Off Images are stored on CompactFlash (CF) Card Type I or Type II storage media Number of Recording Pixels - Still Image - 3,072x2,304 (RAW/Large), 2,592x1,944 (Medium 1), 2,048x1,536 (Medium 2), 1,600x1,200 (Medium 3), 640x480 (Small) Playback Modes File - Single, Index (9 thumbnails), Magnification (Approx. 2.0x to 10x), Slide Show or MovieMagnified, Auto rotate, Rotation, Histogram, Sound memos (up to 60 sec.), Auto Play Universal Serial Bus (USB) mini-B Weighs 13.4 ounces (body only)

Customer Reviews:

Love this camera.......2006-04-04

I was in the market to buy a new camera last year and walked into BestBuy alone just browsing. I have an older EOS Canon Rebel 35mm Camera from 1992, and I loved that camera too.

So this was my second camera purchase, and was not sure what I wanted, but I knew what I wanted to take pictures of. I take this camera everywhere, vacations, visiting friends and family, take pictures of scenery, sporting events, and people.

There are a lot of options on this camera that I don't know how to use, but can't wait to learn them too. I upgraded my memory card to 1 GB so I can take a lot of pictures and not have to worry about running out of room.

When I travel or go to a sporting event, I take anywhere from 75 to 200 piictures. I get a lot of compliments on the camera and the photos it takes are great!

Take the "pro-sumer" title seriously.......2006-03-25

This camera has been called a "pro-sumer" model and you should really take that title seriously. The quality of the pictures that it takes are just as good as a professional digital camera of the same resolution. The trade off is that it is really not happy being thrown in a bag (or big pocket, if it fits). Why? Because Canon have given it a really annoying power-on switch that is guaranteed to turn the camera on 90% of the time when you're moving it to or from a bag. To compound this problem, the lens extends (in your bag), pushing off the lens cap and leaving it open for possible damage. So, if you think of this as a professional camera, to be kept in a real camera-case, you'll probably be okay. If you're somebody, like me, who likes to throw his camera in a bag or pocket, you're going to be annoyed by the power switch. That said, I do LOVE the quality of the pictures and all control that the camera gives you over every aspect of taking them.

CONS: stupid power-on switch that always catches and turns camera on; lens cap is kind of loose and falls off easily; widest angle is maybe a little too telephoto still (around 35mm?)

PROS: awesome pictures; tons of controls all over the outside of the camera allowing you to control a lot without having to resort to menus; professional features including flash hot-shoe and replaceable lens; great battery life; awesome pictures

Two weeks old and dead.......2006-01-27

I am a semi professional photographer and loved my Canon G2. So, I was sure my upgade to a G6 would be a pleasant experience. I took the first 20 pictures with no problem. Then, for no reason the camera stopped. Full battery charge...no display...nothing. Tech support suggests returning and replacing the camera. Hoping the next G6 will restore my confidence in the brand.

Update: Canon replaced the camera. No further problems. I'm taking great pictures and I have transfered my love my Canon G2 to my G6.

Good, but with flaws.......2006-01-07

I bought my G6 a month ago and have taken 441 photos.

There is a real, and serious lag between the time you press the button and the time the camera takes the picture. You can cut the lag in half by focusing first and holding the button down halfway until you are ready to shoot, but that fails if your subject takes a step toward you or away from you. If your subject is your 2 year old grandson, he moves all the time. Minus one star.

The optical viewfinder only shows about 80% of the image the camera captures, and that varies with the zoom setting. You can cut off the head of your subject without knowing it and embarrass yourself when you see your photo or include a bunch of white space and waste pixels and paper. Minus 1/2 star.

The "on" switch has turned itself on twice, once when I put the camera into the large cargo pocket of my heavy winter coat and went for a walk and once when I put the camera into a separate shoulder bag and put that in the car. That can damage the camera if the extended lens tube gets bent. Minus 1/2 star.

Good news:

The 7 MP are enough to print an 8x10 photo at the "standard" 300 dpi.

It has plenty of zoom range,4X.

The battery lasts a very long time. I took 327 photos with the builtin flash on the first charge and used the flipout screen to explore options quite often and only charged it a second time because I was going to photo a birthday party and wanted to be sure not to have the battery run out in the middle of the party.

The G6 has a hot shoe for an extra flash, and can control a Canon Speedlite to make much better flash photos than the builtin flash on any digital camera.

I decided to keep the camera but I have ordered a case for it to prevent it turning itself on while being transported.

Everything I Want in a Digital Camera.......2005-11-02

The Canon G6 is a great camera. I upgraded from a Canon Powershot A80 to the G6. The A80 showed me that Canon makes a good camera, but was lacking a few features I really wanted.

To me, this camera is a perfect collection of compromises. I want a small camera for family snapshots, that's easy to use. I want a large, capable camera for art work like portraits and landscape, and action shots like sports and recreation.

When I'm on vacation, and want some snaps of the kids goofing around or of dinner or something, I don't need a camera that makes me jump through hoops to get a decent shot, I just want to point and shoot. In full auto, or aperature priority, or shutter speed priority, the pictures are usually sharp and crisp. Set the image size to one of the medium or small settings and you can use the high speed multi-shot feature to get a series of action shots that guarantee that you'll get at least a few good ones.

I have no qualms about setting this camera to auto, handing this camera to a person with little or no photgraphic experience, and letting them click away. It's easy enough to learn that most folks can be taking nice pictures in less than an hour, and pros can be taking great pictures in no time at all.

On the other hand, a lot of the work I do is very artistic, and involves using manual settings. When going for the perfect picture, it is often necessary to adjust the focus, aperature, and shutter speed to get the exact picture you want. This camera has manual focus, a feature I sorely missed on my older Powershot A80.

Another thing that bothers me on most other cameras, is that you have to wade through a bewilderingly large collection of menu options to make the smallest changes. While I can understand using a layer or two of menus for things like basic settings (time, format a CF card) I can't see it for something as basic as film speed or white balance.

Which is why I love this camera. The following items are one button away:

Flash
Flash Output Level
Multi-image
Time delay photo
Autofocus area
Macro mode
Manual Focus
White Balance
Zoom in / out
Film Speed (50 to 400)
Picture mode (auto, Manual, Manual preset 1 and 2, Av, Tv, Portratit, Landscape, Backlit, Panorama, movie)

My favorite things about this camera:

Battery life is excellent. I bought a spare battery, but I've never actually use the one that came with it in less than a day. It charges fast too.

Picture quality: The larger lens allows for better pictures in low light conditions, and it is very clear. The large CCD allows you to get pictures in a large enough resolution to print out fairly large copies and have them look very good.

Ergonomic. This is a very comfortable camera to hold for a long time. It's not quite in the same range as some much more expensive units, but I've never gotten tired from holding it. Plus, all the buttons you need to hit while running it are right there under your fingertips. The scroll wheel under your right index finger is very intuitive to operate. Push it to change modes, roll it to change the settings. The fold out screen allows you to take pictures from odd angles without ever having to lay down on your back for a picture. Plus, the fold out screen feels very solidly built, not like it'll snap off in your hands. I was always worried about my Powershot A80, as it didn't feel very solid.

It works well with my computer, which runs Linux. I use gtkam, a great camera program

It has an infrared remote that can be used to take pictures without worrying about camera shake. This is very useful for group pictures you'd like to be in yourself.

User savable white balance settings.

Real flash shoe. This camera takes a standard Canon flash unit.

Manual focus mode puts a close up of the center of the screen right in the middle of the picture for you to check the focus with. This would be really bothsome for composing pictures, except that when you half depress the shutter button, the small zoomed square in the center disappears and leaves you with the whole picture.

The rapid fire photo option is very useful for action shots, and some candid stuff, like subway pictures.

The mechanical view finder is more than just an adornment on this camera. It's quite good, and it changes its field of view according to the current zoom setting. It also has a focus adjustment on it. This is very nice if you wear glasses, as it lets you adjust the view finder to your eye, and you can get your eye right up to it, and not keep bumping your glasses into the back of the camera.

Very wide open Fstop of 2.0 to very closed off 8.0.

And lastly, it remembers virtually everything you setup the last time it was on or in a certain mode, and reverts to those settings the next time you turn it on or switch modes. This includes things like white balance, settings that were NOT remembered by my Powershot A80.

Now for the negatives:

The door that covers the USB port / DC input, and AV output is very easy to catch in the swivelling / revolving fold out screen, and as the screen takes a fare bit of effort to revolve, it's quite likely you'll have snapped the door in half before you notice it's gone and gotten itself caught in the spinning LCD screen that's passing by. If it's gotten a little bent, it will get caught every time by the fold out screen until you snap it off or bend it back in place.

The flash is way too close to the lens, which makes for some pretty obvious shadows in the bottom right hand corner of some photos. Luckily, I'm not much for flash usage, and if I was, I'd probably spring for a real flash that sat in the hot shoe. Still, if you're looking for a great built in flash, this is NOT the camera for you.

Slow focus, and the autofocus can become confused by objects within a few yards, and never really focus. Plus, focusing is pretty slow. If you are looking for a camera with a very fast, nearly perfect autofocus, you might do better with another camera.

Movies are limited to 3 minutes maximum, which seems rather arbitrary. Even 5 minutes would be a big step up, as it would allow me to catch the average musical performance in one step.

Final Word:

This is a great compromise camera for someone who really wants two separate cameras but can't afford them. It's a good snap shot camera, and a good big lense, big body, big CCD machine capable of creating art.

It's not the best at either of those categories when compared to other cameras, but for one that does both, it represents a a perfect compromise at a pretty reasonable price.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics

Consumer Electronics

Toshiba PDR-2300 2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optcial Zoom

CTX PV740MD 17.4" LCD Monitor with Speakers

Kodak Easyshare Z740 5MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom

Toshiba Portege M200 Tablet

Cingular Blackberry Pearl ClearTouch Crystal Screen Protector

NEC Versa SX - PII 333 MHz - RAM : 64 MB - HD : 6 GB - CD - Win95 - 14.1" TFT 1024 x 768

Royal Handheld Calculator

Coolermaster LHD-V04-U1 HDD Cooler with 4 Fan Controller