Jump to a part
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Introduction
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01.Testing / Performance
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02.Physical Tour
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03.Components
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04.Design / Layout
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05.Modes
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06.Control Options
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07.Image Parameters
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08.Connectivity / Extras
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09.Overall Impressions
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10.Conclusion
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11.Specs / Ratings
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12.Photo Gallery
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13.Sample Photos
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14.Comments
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Canon PowerShot G7
Digital Camera Review
Previous: Page 7
Image ParametersNext: Page 9
Overall ImpressionsConnectivity
Software (6.75)
The Canon PowerShot G7 comes with version 29.0 of Canon’s Solution Disk. It includes a few software programs on it for organizing and editing pictures such as ZoomBrowser EX 5.7 for Windows and ImageBrowser 5.7 for Macintosh. PhotoStitch 3.1 software stitches the panoramas made from the assist mode in the camera along with an EOS Utility program.
The utility program can acquire images from the camera, enable printing, tweak custom settings on the G7 itself (such as startup music), and activate a cool remote shooting feature. When the remote capture option is chosen, users can choose a destination folder where pictures can be saved. A smaller window shows a preview like a viewfinder and all exposure parameters, from shutter speed to white balance, can be changed on this window. The focus can be locked and unlocked and users may have to do this frequently. The zoom can be accessed as well. Once pictures are taken, they can be set to automatically pop up in the ZoomBrowser EX program behind it.
ZoomBrowser EX is the main browsing and editing program, although it is better for browsing than editing for sure. Pictures can be viewed in zoom, scroll, or preview modes with various layouts of images, file information, histograms, and comments. Users can mark favorites and add keywords to pictures that can be used for searching.
From the main window users have options to acquire pictures, view and organize files, edit, export, and print images. Pictures can be deleted or rotated from here. Editing is done in a separate window and with primitive options: trim, insert text, sharpness, color/brightness adjustment, auto adjustment, and red-eye correction.
PhotoStitch can be opened separately or accessed from the Edit portion of the main window of ZoomBrowser. It allows users to merge several pictures together automatically but doesn’t let them manually move the images.
Overall, the software included with the Canon G7 is decent but not impressive. It is good organizational software, but users may want to do more advanced editing than the program allows.
Jacks, ports, plugs (5.0)The Canon G7 has one door on its right side that conceals two ports. There is an AV-out jack at the top and a mini-B USB jack below it. The AV-out function can be set to NTSC or PAL standard within the setup menu; it outputs monaural audio. The USB hi-speed 2.0 cable can be connected to printers or computers. The camera can accept a power adaptor, but it fits into the battery compartment and wires through a tiny door on the bottom of the G7’s right side.
Direct Print Options (7.0)
A designated Print button is located in the top left corner of the G7’s back side. It has an LED in the center of the button and can be pushed to transfer the DPOF print orders. The print orders can be made from the playback mode. Pictures can be transferred directly to PictBridge compatible printers with the included USB cable. The Canon PowerShot G7 is Canon Direct Print and Bubble Jet Direct compliant. The camera can output index prints with 35 images on an 8.5 x 11-inch sheet or can print 20 images with shooting info. With Canon CP and Selphy printers, the camera can also print ID photos and movie prints.
Battery (4.5)
The Canon PowerShot G7 runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack NB-2LH that has a life of about 220 shots. This isn’t much at all, so users may want to tote around an extra battery. The camera doesn’t give users much warning when the battery is running low. It works perfectly up until the last moment when it shuts off and displays a message to replace the battery unit. The PowerShot G7 comes with a wall-mount charger. There is an optional ACK-DC20 AC Adapter Kit and a Car Battery Charger, which are both sold separately. Memory (3.0)
There is no internal memory, but the camera comes with a 32 MB SD card. This isn’t much, especially with the 10-megapixel resolution. The G7 can record video up to 4GB or 1 hour at a time. Users are encouraged to purchase a separate memory card. SD, SDHC, and MMC cards are all compatible with the G7. The memory slot is beneath the battery compartment door.
Other features (6.5)
Other features (6.5)
My Camera Settings – This sub-menu offers a range of sounds and images to customize your digital camera. Users can select entire themes such as birds, for example, that will display a picture of a bird while starting up and chirp when a picture is taken. The startup image, startup sound, operation sound, self-timer sound, and shutter sound can be customized. The G7 has three options and an off position for each of these. Users can connect the camera to a computer with the included software installed and open the EOS Utility window. There is an option in it to customize the camera; it is there that users can select from about two dozen themes, images, sounds, etc. and load them to the camera. Underwater Housing – The first of the G-series to be compatible with an underwater housing, the PowerShot G7 can now go to depths of 40 meters/130 ft with it. The G7’s body is compact enough and flat enough to fit inside the WP-DC11 casing. Canon also sells a WW-DC1 case weight to keep the G7 from floating upwards in the water. Complementing the housing is the Underwater scene mode and the Underwater white balance preset.
Sound Recorder – The PowerShot G7 has a sound recorder accessible through the playback mode menu. It can also be accessed with the button near the upper right corner of the camera’s back that has a microphone icon on it. It can record 16-bit rate mono audio at a selectable sampling rate of 11.025 kHz, 22.050 kHz, and 44.100 kHz for up to 2 hours at a time.
Sound Memos – A sound memo can be added to a picture just after it is taken or in the playback mode. It records at an 11.025 kHz sampling rate that isn’t crystal clear but does fine if the sound is within 3 feet or so of the camera. Memos can be up to 1 minute in length and are saved in WAVE format.
Computer-controlled Shooting – This is a cool feature on the G7 that allows it to double as a Web cam. It also allows users to store lots of photos directly on a computer’s hard drive rather than on the memory card. The Canon PowerShot G7 must be connected to the computer via the USB cable and the EOS Utility window must be opened. There is a remote shooting option that must be selected, then a separate window pops up with a live preview on top and exposure settings and such below it. Almost any option that can be changed on the camera can be changed in this program: shutter speed, aperture, flash, flash compensation, white balance, and ISO to name a few. One feature that is missing on the remote shooting program is the self-timer, so self-portraits will include your arm reaching for the mouse to make a click and release the shutter. Still, the computer-controlled shooting on the Canon G7 is a cool feature not included on many other compact models.
ND Filter – The Canon PowerShot G7 has a built-in ND filter that reduces the light intensity by up to three stops. This enables the user to shoot at slower shutter speeds and smaller apertures. This ND filter can be turned on and off in the Func./Set menu.
Optional Waterproof Housing – The G7’s retro design is flat and compact design makes it easy to carry in a pocket. Its shape allows it to fit into optional underwater housing. The Canon WP-DC11 fits over the camera and allows it to swim to 130 feet underwater. The housing costs about $200, and the WW-DC1 case weights that keep it from floating to the water’s surface cost an extra wad of cash. The PowerShot G7 is the first of Canon’s G-series to be compatible with an underwater housing. To complement the optional housing, there are underwater scene and white balance modes.
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