Canon Powershot G5

Last September, as its rivals were launching the first 5megapixel cameras, Canon surprised many by sticking with 4megapixels for its Powershot G3. Now with the launch of its G5, Canon's made the move to 5megapixels in its pro-sumer 'G' range.

With its 5megapixel sensor, the G5 delivers images with 2,592 x 1,944 pixels, which contain sufficient detail to produce good-looking 13 x 10in inkjet prints. Like most new 5megapixel cameras, Canon has opted for a 1/1.8in sensor, which physically measures the same as 4megapixel chips.

With smaller pixels, this chip could suffer from worse electronic noise, but our results show the G5 keeps it under control.

The G5 offers three levels of Exif 2.2-compliant jpeg compression and four resolutions. The default Fine setting produces files of around 1.5MB each. If you have the space, select the superior Superfine mode with 2.8MB files that are virtually artefact-free. A 12bit losslessly compressed Raw mode is also available, although like all Raw files, you'll need to use the supplied software to process them into jpegs or tiffs.

Canon supplies a 32MB Compact Flash (CF) card, which will squeeze in around 21 or 11 images in Fine or Superfine jpeg modes, and the G5 also works with IBM's Microdrive.

There's a 4x optical zoom lens, with a 35mm equivalent range of 35-140mm and bright focal ratio of f2.0~3.0; the closest focusing distance in macro mode is 5cm. During its four-second power-up, the lens extends 2.5cm and prods off the lens cap if you've forgotten to remove it. There are three optional lens attachments: wide angle and teleconverters with 0.7x and 1.75x magnifications, and one that improves close-ups.

The G5 has a relatively large brick-like design, but there's no denying its superb solid build-quality. Image composition is with the optical viewfinder or a flipout and twist 1.8in colour screen. Not only is the screen sharp and bright, but the twisting mechanism feels well made, not to mention allowing easy composing at tricky angles.

On the top is an LCD status panel packed with shooting information, alongside a hotshoe capable of handling Canon EX Speedlight flashguns. The built-in flash offers a number of modes, including slow-synchro and a rear-curtain option. The main mode dial offers Auto, Program, Manual, Aperture and Shutter Priority, along with three scene presets, two custom modes, stitch-assist for panoramas and a movie mode to capture up to three minutes of 320 x 240 video at 15fps (frames per second) with sound. There are 46 shutter speeds from 1/2000 to 15 seconds (but no bulb), and 13 aperture settings. Burst mode captures up to seven Superfine jpegs at 2fps, while sensitivity runs between 50 and 400ISO. A timelapse mode can shoot 2-100 pictures at intervals of one to 60 minutes.

Images are transferred with a USB1.1 port. It doesn't need a driver if you are using XP or OSX, and it supports direct printing; there's also a TV output. The lithium-ion battery recharges in the camera body.

If any of this reminds you of the G3, you'd not be far wrong. With the same body, lens and main features, the G5 is essentially a higher resolution version of its predecessor, but this is no bad thing as the G3 was probably the best-quality 4megapixel camera we've tested.

Canon has ensured the new sensor is perfectly at home, and the combination of excellent metering, low compression (in Superfine mode), 50ISO sensitivity and the improved Digic processor delivers smooth images, bereft of noise but packed with detail. Particularly impressive was its handling of tones, revealing subtle shades where lesser cameras would record saturated white.

Lens quality is also excellent, although in some conditions there's a little colour fringing at wide-angle, but nothing worse than its rivals.

Like the G3, the G5 has no live histogram and a maximum sensitivity of 400 ISO. The 320 x 240 movie mode is also dated compared to the 640 x 480 of newer models, and its chunky body is beginning to look relatively hefty.

The G5 has sufficient features to keep most enthusiasts happy and image quality that's as good as any 5megapixel camera we've tested. You should also check out Sony's Cyber-shot V1 and Nikon's Coolpix 5400, though.

Contact: Canon 08705 143 723
http://www.canon.co.uk/digitalcameras

Specifications

• 5megapixels, 2,592 x 1,944 recorded pixels
• 4x optical, 4.1x digital zoom
• 35-140mm focal length (35mm equiv)
• Flash modes: On, off, red-eye, slow-synchro, rear-curtain
• 1.8in LCD
• 32MB CF I/II
• 12.1 x 7.4 x 7cm (w x d x h)
• 410g
• USB 1.1
• 1yr warranty