| Canon has today announced the PowerShot
G3. This new digital camera appears go slightly further
than the typical 'product refresh' we've seen recently.
The G3 now has a 'proper' hand grip with a rubber finger
edge, a new body design, command wheel and an all new 4x
F2.0 - F3.0 optical zoom lens with a bayonet fitting optional
thread adapter. It maintains all of the G2's functionality
but adds the new features also introduced to the S45 (Digic
processor, FlexiZone AF/AE, Custom exposure mode, etc.)
Expected street price: US: $799, EU: 999.
Press Release (Canon Europe):
PowerShot G3 -Winning technology for even
better performance than before
Amstelveen, 16 September 2002 - Canon introduces the PowerShot
G3 - the third generation model in the "G" series line-up
of digital cameras. Aimed at the advanced amateur and semi-professional
users, this new model boasts a 4x zoom lens with fast f2.0
- 3.0 aperture, a new DIGIC processor and 4 Megapixel CCD
sensor.
The PowerShot G3 improves further on the EISA award winning
PowerShot G2, which was voted European Digital Camera of
the Year Award 2002. The PowerShot G3 features a newly designed,
high quality, 35-140mm (35mm film equivalent) zoom lens
with f2.0 - 3.0 aperture the first 4x zoom lens on a PowerShot
digital camera. The fast f2.0 - 3.0 aperture ensures superb
picture quality even in low light situations and the 4x
zoom gives wider range of viewpoints for every scene.
The PowerShot G3 sees the introduction of the new ultra-fast
DIGIC (DIGital Imaging Core) processor. " DIGIC is not just
a cosmetic change", says Mr. Komatsuzaki, executive Vice
President, Canon Consumer Imaging. "This development will
advance image quality and camera performance even more than
what has already been voted European Digital Camera of the
Year."
Quality and Technology
The new PowerShot G3 offers photographers the best ever
image quality. Delivering high definition and fast processing
with a new imaging processor 'DIGIC' for enhanced picture
quality, improved AF accuracy as well as speed of operation.
The 4Megapixel CCD sensor ensures the best image quality
at the highest resolution and the DIGIC processor gives
improved shadow and highlight details for even better quality
images. Now the highest quality RAW mode is accessible even
when shooting in JPEG. Immediately after taking a shot the
image is displayed on the LCD, simply press the camera's
function button and you can change to store the file as
RAW, offering more options for highest quality processing
on the computer.
Canon has designed the DIGIC processor specifically for
great image processing. Combining the 6 key elements of
CCD Control, AE/AF/AWB, signal processing, JPEG compression,
memory card control and LCD monitor display, the PowerShot
G3 delivers better quality images than it's predecessor,
and with the speed advantage of DIGIC, battery life is improved
too. The DIGIC processor is a major component essential
to ensure the image quality that is a Canon camera hallmark.
Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space
(iSAPS) is another technology that allows the PowerShot
G3 to deliver superb images. With the new iSAPS technology
Canon utilises 60 years of camera experience even before
a picture is taken. The scene focussed on and shooting information
are analysed and cross-referenced against Photographic Space
data.
Photographic Space data is a vast library of statistical
information built into every new Canon digital camera. By
taking advantage of Photographic Space the camera's performance
parameters are optimised to better to render the scene as
the photographer intended.
Flexibility and Creativity
Designed for true creativity and flexibility the PowerShot
G3 combines a host of advanced Canon technologies to deliver
outstanding image quality and flexibility in every shooting
situation.
With 12 shooting modes including full two custom modes,
manual control, selectable focusing points and metering
modes the PowerShot G3 ensures that technology need not
hamper creativity. The PowerShot G3 also features FlexiZone
AF/AE which means there's complete control of the position
of the focus and exposure point in the viewfinder frame,
ideal for off-centre and even on-the-edge compositions.
The PowerShot G3 has the most comprehensive auxiliary flash
system of any digital compact camera in the world, offering
the advanced amateur and semi- pro more creativity. This
camera is compatible with the complete range of Speedlite
EX flashes including the Macro-Ring Lite MR-14EX and the
Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX. The PowerShot G3 provides many
add-ons for maximum flexibility. With both a 0.7x wide converter,
and 1.75 x tele-converter the zoom can be extended to cover
from 24mm to over 240mm (35mm-film equivalent) - 10x zoom.
Directly connectable to all Canons' Direct Printers, The
PowerShot G3 delivers superb quality photo images totally
bypassing the PC. Simply connect the camera to a Canon direct
printer; select the desired shot and a full colour 10x15cm
or A4 size photo is easily printed in minutes.
Design and Ergonomics
A new Main dial has been added to the handgrip of the PowerShot
G3 for ease of movement. This main dial is similar to that
on the EOS system cameras and has the effect of increasing/decreasing
the value of selected features. By pressing the dial a different
feature and or option will be selected and can thus be easily
adjusted.
A vari-angled 1.8-inch LCD monitor, similar to that used
in the popular PowerShot G2, gives the photographer 100%
coverage. The LCD monitor can be independently positioned
to view the scene regardless of the position of the camera;
great for macro photography close to the ground.. When the
LCD monitor is rotated towards the front for self-portraits,
a mirror image is displayed for correct viewing.
More information has been added to the top LCD of the PowerShot
G3 to increase usability of the camera, especially when
the main colour LCD screen is turned off.
Software
The PowerShot G3 is compatible with both PC and Mac and
has a full suite of advanced software.
- New ZoomBrowzer EX 4.0 - Central to image management,
ZoomBrowser EX files, prints and even transfers images
to a computer and camera
- New File Viewer Utility - for the faster transfer, preview
and conversion of RAW image files.
- Picture Transfer Protocol - PowerShot S45 can be used
in PTP mode for driverless connection to Windows XP and
Mac OS X (v10.1).
- Adobe Photoshop 5.0 LE - industry standard photo editing
and manipulation software.
Also included is Canon's PhotoStitch, RemoteCapture and
PhotoRecord software.
Accessories
- Wide converter, tele-converter and close-up lenses (optional
conversion lens adapter is required).
- Speedlite EX flash units, including ST-E2 Speedlite
Transmitter.
- Car battery charger
Canon PowerShot G3 specifications
 |
 |
| PowerShot G3 |
PowerShot G3 connected to Canon
Printer |
| Sensor |
1/1.8" 4.1 megapixel
(primary CFA) |
| Effective pixels |
4.0 megapixels (JCIA
standard) |
| Image processor |
DIGIC (12 bit) |
| Image sizes |
2272 x 1704
1600 x 1200
1024 x 768
640 x 480 |
| Image quality |
RAW
Super-Fine JPEG
Fine JPEG
Normal JPEG |
| JPEG format |
EXIF 2.2 |
| Lens |
4x optical zoom
35 - 140 mm (F2.0 - F3.0)
8 elements in 7 groups (2 aspherical elements)
|
| Digital zoom |
Yes, 3.6x |
| Focus method |
TTL auto-focus
(Continuous or Single)
FlexiZone AF/AE or Centre Point AF
Manual focus
Focus bracketing |
| Focus range |
Normal: 50 cm
- Infinity (19.7 in - Infinity)
Macro wide: 5 - 50 cm (2.0 - 19.7 in)
Macro tele: 15 - 50 cm (5.9 - 19.7 in)
Manual focus: 5/15 cm - Infinity (2.0/5.9
in - Infinity) |
| Exposure control |
Program AE
Shutter Priority AE
Aperture Priority AE
Manual |
| AE Lock |
Yes |
| AE Bracketing |
Yes |
| Exposure compensation |
+/-2.0 EV in 0.3 EV
steps |
| ND Filter |
Internal, menu option |
| Metering method |
Evaluative (linked
to AF point)
Center weighted average
Spot |
| Camera Shooting modes |
Auto
Program
Tv (Shutter Priority)
Av (Aperture Priority)
Manual
Custom 1
Custom 2
Scene
Movie |
| Scene exposure modes |
Portrait
Landscape
Night Portrait
Sports
Stitch Assist |
| White Balance |
Auto
Daylight
Cloudy
Tungsten
Fluorescent
Fluorescent High
Manual Preset 1
Manual Preset 2 |
| Shutter speed |
15 - 1/2000
sec
Wide angle: 1/2000 sec from F4.0 - F8.0 (otherwise
1/1250 sec max)
Telephoto: 1/2000 sec from F5.6 - F8.0 (otherwise
1/1250 sec max) |
| Noise reduction |
For shutter speeds longer
than 1.3 sec |
| ISO sensitivity |
Auto (ISO 50
- 150)
ISO 50
ISO 100
ISO 200
ISO 400 |
| Viewfinder |
Optical |
| LCD Monitor |
1.8" TFT, 118,000
pixels
100% coverage
Tilt, twist and swivel |
| Self Timer |
2 sec
10 sec |
| Continuous shooting |
High: 2.5 fps,
max 14 frames (Large/Fine, LCD off)
Low: 1.5 fps, max 14 frames (Large/Fine, LCD
off) |
| Flash mode |
Auto
Red-eye reduction Auto
Manual Flash On/Off
Slow Sync Speed (first or second curtain) |
| Flash range (ISO 100) |
Normal wide:
0.7 - 5.0 m (2.3 - 16.4 ft)
Normal tele: 0.7 - 4.0 m (2.3 - 13.1 ft) |
| Flash compensation |
+/- 2.0 EV in
0.3 EV steps
FE lock available
Manual flash power output can be set |
| External flash |
Hot shoe
Canon Speedlite 220EX, (380EX), 420EX, 550EX,
Macro-Ring-Lite MR 14EX, Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX,
Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 |
| Movie files |
320 x 240, 15
fps, inc audio (91 sec, 3 min max*)
160 x 120, 15 fps, inc audio (242 sec, 3 min
max*)
* When used with a high speed CF card |
| Timelapse mode |
Interval: 1
- 60 mins
Shots: up to 100 |
| Photo Effect |
Vivid
Neutral
Low Sharpening
Sepia
B&W
Custom |
| Playback Operation |
Single
Multi
Movie
Slide Show
Magnify (up to 10x) |
| Orientation Sensor |
Senses horizontal /
vertical orientation of camera |
| Compliance |
DPOF print order
format
ExifPrint (EXIF 2.2) |
| Direct Printing |
Canon CP-10
Canon CP-100
Canon S820D
Canon S830D
Canon S530D |
| Storage |
Compact Flash Type I
or II (Microdrive compatible) |
| Connectivity |
USB 1.1 (Normal
/ PTP)
A/V output |
| Power |
Lithium-Ion BP-511/
BP 5-12 1100 mAh (included & charger) |
| Dimensions |
121 x 74 x 70 mm (4.8
x 2.9 x 2.8 in) |
| Weight (exc. batt) |
410 g (14.5 oz) |
Canon PowerShot G3 additional pictures
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