The Canon Powershot G10 features a 14.7MP sensor, Raw shooting and range of manual controls. It also boasts compatibility with external flashguns, but is it a viable alternative to the DSLR? The What Digital Camera Canon PowerShot G10 review reveals all...
Canon PowerShot G10 Review
Design & Performance
Canon G10 review – Design
Canon’s G series has seen quite a few evolutionary changes over the course of its lifetime, beginning with vari-angle LCD screens and top-plate LCDs, eventually dropping these in favour of larger fixed LCDs and more controls on the body itself. Cosmetically, the model follows in a similar fashion to both its G7 and G9 predecessors, albeit with a few alterations.
Canon G10 review – top design
The G10’s top-plate, now plays host to three dials – one for exposure modes, one for sensitivity and one for exposure compensation – in between which sits a hotshoe.
Canon G10 review – back design
The large LCD screen dominates most of the rear, with the remainder giving way to an assortment of controls.
Canon G10 review – size
The G10 is both bulkier and heavier than comparable models such as the Nikon P6000, though its size does allow for a
larger screen, more controls and better stability when an external flashgun is mounted.
Canon G10 review – Performance
It takes only a second for the G10 to start up and around the same to shut down, and this speed is maintained throughout the camera’s general operation. The trio of mode dials make changing exposure modes, compensation and sensitivity a doddle, while menu options spring up promptly. The familiar L-shaped interface from Canon’s other PowerShot or Ixus offerings splits options between the Function and Menu buttons, and whatever shooting settings can’t be changed via external controls can be changed quickly via the Function button.
Canon G10 review – focusing
Focusing is generally speedy, with macro and low-light shots also focusing in good time. As with the manual exposure settings, manual focusing is carried out fairly effortlessly via the circular dial, with an enlarged portion of the view on the LCD assisting with focus.
The size and resolution of the Canon G10’s LCD screen is particularly impressive, with a clear view of the scene. Occasionally when shooting against bright sunlight, one oddity arose in that the screen would turn a vibrant shade of green or purple once focus had been confirmed. Thankfully, this problem is confined to the LCD screen and has no effect on image quality whatsoever – I imagine this may be resolved by a future firmware update.
Canon G10 review – processing times
Processing times are consistent with those for general operation; Raw files take only around a second to write to a 2GB, Class 6 SD card and JPEGs are fairly rapidly written, too.
Canon G10 review – menu options
One criticism I do have, though, is with the somewhat haphazard assortment of menu options. An example is Raw + JPEG shooting, which, rather than being located with the other file size options, is lost in the same tab as options for setting review times and for using optional converters. It’s a minor annoyance rather than any genuine matter for concern, but something you do notice when you need to access options quickly.