We recently got our hands on the new Powershot G16 camera from Canon. With a larger than average sensor, solid build and a fast lens, the Powershot maintains the G series' place at the top. We're taking a look at what the Powershot has 'under the hood'.
As the older brother of the already successful G15, the big changes to this model are few and far between. Both cameras have a 1/1.7 inch sensor, 12.1MP and back-side illumination. We feel the most notable change comes in the form of Wi-Fi. Now you are able to upload and share images much easier than before. There's even an app to enable you to sync the camera to a phone or tablet. One thing missing is the ability to remotely control the camera, a trend becoming ever more prominent.
Another major upgrade is the G16's image processing abilities. With Canon's latest DIGIC 6 processor, the image processing is improved while generating a 50% boost to AF speed. The end result? Crisper images and less processing time. The video capabilities have also received an upgrade, now supporting full HD 60fps video capture. The video mode also includes a wind noise filter and in-camera video transcoding.
Users of the G15 will be happy to see the G16 has kept the 5x optical zoom and the same 3' LCD screen with anti-glare coating. The screen is fixed unfortunately, a feature found on the previous 3 models. It's unlikely we will see a movable screen any time in the near future.
The camera also comes with a massive log of shooting modes and filters. Forget Instagram, this is some heavy-duty tech. Take the Star Mode for example. Have you ever tried to capture the night sky in an image, and the result is a black screen? The Powershot G16 captures the night sky almost as it is, able to capture the moon and even the stars perfectly. You can even capture time-lapse videos of the stars, a very impressive (and, quite frankly, fun) feature.
So, is this camera for you? Well, in every possible way, this camera is the biggest fish in its pond - but that doesn't mean it's for everyone. If you are a novice photographer and new to cameras, the Powershot G16 might not be the best option. You can of course, switch it on and start shooting, but it's photographers with more experience who'll get better use of the multitude of shooting options and features loaded onto the camera.
So if you are more experienced with cameras, this one might be what you're looking for. Able to compete with SLRs of a similar price, the Powershot G16 is more compact and easier to use. The Star Mode makes for a brilliant feature and the ability to shoot HDR without a tripod is another welcome bonus.
So, to summarise, if you're new to cameras or tight on budget, this is definitely not the camera you are looking for - but if you have experience with advanced compacts or SLR's and have the money, you can pick up the Powershot G16 for £429 at John Lewis.
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