Canon Powershot G5 Review

The all-glass Canon 7.2-28.8mm 4x zoom (35-140mm 35mm equivalent) boasts a maximum aperture of f/2.0-3.0, and is constructed in 7 elements with 8 groups. The real Iris-type aperture can be used to create background blur for professional portraits.

Focus range is 70cm (2.3 ft.) to infinity in normal mode. Macro autofocus range is 6cm (0.2 ft.) (wide-angle) / 20cm (0.7 ft.) (telephoto) to 70cm (2.3 ft.).

The autofocus is accomplished via a FlexiZone TTL system with an almost infinite number of possible AF points selectable on the LCD monitor. The G5 offers Focus Bracketing - it takes three consecutive shots, moving the focus position in front and behind the current position of the subject. The difference between each shot can be set to large, medium or small, allowing a "fine focus position" to be found which matches the photographer's intention even when precise focus positions are critical such as with macro photography.

The G5 has an AF assist illuminator for accurate focusing even in dim to dark environments. Focusing of the lens is achieved with a rear-focusing method that moves only one lens element, minimizing the weight of the focusing component for greater focusing speed.

The lens ring comes off easily at the push of a button and allows you to attach the optional Conversion Lens Adapter LA-DC58B so you can use one of the Canon conversion lenses or attach 58mm filters.

There are three add-on lenses for use with the G3/G5, they all require the LA-DC58B lens adapter:

• WC-DC58N - 24.5mm wideangle, focus range 0.4in to infinity, 58mm threads

• TC-DC58N - 245mm tele, focus range 1.3ft to infinity, 58mm threads

• 250D - 250mm macro lens, focus range 4.7 - 7.9in., 58mm threads
  Lets you shoot macro shots from a more comfortable distance.

The G5 has a deep and "beefy" handgrip that makes it comfortable and secure in your hands. This is especially useful when you zoom out to full telephoto or mount an external flash on the camera.

The Main Dial is placed on the top/front of the grip for easy operation with your fingertip when changing various camera settings.

This is the same Vari-Angle swiveling 1.8-inch color LCD used on all previous "G" series cameras.  It rotates 270° and can be turned 180° around to face forwards for self-portraits.

or the LCD can be folded up against the back of the camera with the screen exposed or turned around the other way to protect it when not in use.

You can frame your shots with the color LCD or the eyelevel optical viewfinder. There is a diopter adjustment for those of us with less than perfect eyesight. The LEDs on the side indicate recording, autofocus and flash status. The eyelevel finder shows approximately 85% of the captured image.

(In wide angle focal lengths the edge of the lens barrel is visible in the viewfinder's field of view. This doesn't affect the picture taking but it sure is annoying in a camera of this caliber.)

The PowerShot G5 includes a 3-mode built-in flash with red-eye reduction and first or second curtain sync. The flash has a range of 0.7m (2.3 ft.) - 5m.(16.5 ft.) (W) / 0.7m (2.3 ft.) - 4m (13.1 ft.) (T) (sensitivity at ISO 100 equivalent)

The G5 is fully compatible with Canon's powerful EX-series Speedlites and E-TTL wireless flash accessories. On top is a flash hot shoe with dedicated TTL contacts for the Canon 220EX, 380EX, 420EX or 550EX automatic speedlights. (550EX shown above on the G3)

The G5 can also accomodate Canon's MR-14EX macro speedlite too.