Canon Powershot G9 Review

When you select Playback mode the last picture taken is displayed. You can move backward or forward through the images using the LEFT and RIGHT buttons or rotating the control dial. The amount of overlay information displayed is controlled by pressing the DISP button. Information across the bottom is 23/90 which means image 23 of 90 total, image quality is set at Large SuperFine and the time and date of capture. A "key" icon means the image is protected, and a "musical note" icon indicates that a voice memo has been attached.

Pressing the DISPlay button displays the histogram and extended image information to indicate the file number, capture mode, ISO speed, shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, metering, white balance, file size, image size, and the date and time of capture.

If you press the DISP button again, the Focus Check option is displayed. It will automatically choose an area to zoom in on (like a subjects face) to check for critical focus, expression ,etc. The orange box in the top photo shows the area that will be magnified on the lower image. You can also use the zoom controls to magnify the lower image even more.

Press the DISP. button once more and all of the overlay information is removed. This is good for when you are showing the pictures on the TV and don't want the info displayed.

You can quickly search through stored images using the Index playback function which is actuated by pressing the Wide zoom control button. Nine thumbnail size images will be displayed and you can select one using the LEFT or RIGHT buttons and then pressing the Telephoto zoom button. Pressing the Wide button again will put you in jump mode where you can backward or forward a page at a time.

The image can be magnified up to 10x in ten steps by pressing the telephoto zoom button. Once the image is enlarged at any step, you can move around inside of it using the 4-way selector buttons.

Movie clips can be played in the camera with audio thanks to the built-in speaker.

You get "VCR-like" buttons to control the playback of movie clips.

You can also shorten (edit the length) a movie clip.

Pressing the MENU button brings up this page of options. You can start a slide show, place an image in a category, Erase images, Protect or unprotect an image(s), use Red-eye correction, Resize an image, use My Colors, Sound Recorder will let you record up to 2 hours of audio, rotate portrait mode image for display on TV, Transfer Order lets you select the order from which the images are transferred to your computer and Transition is to display a screen effect between images.

The Sound Memo options is activated by pressing the dedicated button on the back of the camera. It lets you record memos or notes up to 60 seconds in length which are attached to still images. You can overwrite or delete previous memos.

The G9 can also become a Sound recorder and record for up to 2 hours. You can even choose the sample rate (44.100kHz, 11.025kHz, 22.050kHz), but the recorded file size will change depending on which setting is used.

You can then play back the audio in camera. Files are saved in WAVE format, and are Not attached to images. The length of a clip is limited by the amount of space available on the memory card (2 hours max.)

The Setup sub-menu lets you Mute camera sounds, adjust the volume of several functions, set Audio settings (Mic level, Wind Filter), adjust LCD brightness, choose the Power saving settings, set the Time Zone, set the time and date in the internal clock, format the SD card, Choose the File Numbering method, Create a Folder, turn auto rotate on/off, set the Distance units (m/cm or ft/in), adjust the Lens retract time, set the menu language, specify the video out format (NTSC or PAL), set the print method, and RESET all settings to factory default.

The MyCamera sub-menu lets you customize the startup and shutdown screens and the camera's sound effects. When you install the included software you will find a wealth of themes, startup screens and sounds to choose from our custom build your own.