Canon U.S.A. has long been a extreme musician ropes the film and digital camera markets, pre-eminent since their high-quality optics, mechanical innovations, also effective product development. Over the last few years, they've developed a powerful lineup of digital cameras, ranging from surprisingly feature-rich entry-level models, all the way to the extreme high end of professional digital SLRs. Their PowerShot G2 prosumer model was one of the top two or three cameras on the entire Imaging Resource site at its introduction, a fact I attribute to the superb job Canon did in designing and producing it. The G2 was one of those rare cameras that really hit all the right notes with the "enthusiast" crowd, offering a rich feature set and excellent image quality.

Next, Canon introduced the G3, staying with the proven four-mega pixel chunk top empiric hold the G2, but bonus colossal feature besides user interface enhancements (including a 4x shoot lens with a hot f/2.0 maximum aperture). The latest model, the G5, upholds the same great standards, though finally now with a five-mega pixel CCD. User interface and camera features are virtually the same as the G3, although the G5 now sports an all-black body. Read on for all the details!


Features

• 5.0-megapixel CCD delivering image resolutions as high as

2,592 x 1,944 pixels.
• Real-image optical viewfinder and 1.8-inch, color LCD monitor

with swivel design.
• 4x optical zoom, 7.2-28.8mm f/2.0-3.0 lens (equivalent to a

35-140mm lens on a 35mm camera) with auto and manual focus.
• Continuously adjustable AF area, and focus bracketing mode.
• Digital telephoto as high as 4.1x.
• Full Automatic, Program AE, Shutter Priority, Aperture

Priority, and Manual exposure modes, as well as three preset exposure

modes, and two user-programmable modes.
• Manually adjustable aperture settings from f/2 to f/8,

depending on zoom setting.
• Built-in neutral-density filter can be switched in via the

shooting menu. (Equivalent to external ND 0.9 filter, 3-stop exposure

cut.)
• Manually adjustable shutter speed settings from 1/2,000 to 15

seconds.
• Variable light sensitivity: Auto, 50, 100, 200, or 400 ISO

equivalents.
• Evaluative, Center-Weighted Average and Spot metering modes,

with an adjustable Spot area.
• Spot metering optionally tied to adjustable AF area.
• White Balance adjustment with nine settings, including two

separate "custom" options.
• Built-in flash with nine operating modes, flash metering is

TTL (through the lens).
• External flash hot shoe.
• Flash system supports full wireless capabilities of EOS speed

lights, via optional Canon wireless transmitter.
• Flash system supports optional ring light and Macro Twin Light

accessory flash units.
• Continuous Shooting (normal and high-speed), Stitch-Assist,

Auto Exposure Bracketing, and Movie recording modes.
• Contrast, Sharpness, and Saturation adjustment.
• Vivid Color, Neutral Color, Low Sharpening, B&W, and Sepia

options.
• Remote control and utilities for operating the camera from a

computer.
• JPEG and RAW still image file formats, movies saved as AVI /

Motion JPEGs.
• Images saved to Compact Flash Type I or II memory cards.
• DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compatibility.
• USB cable for high-speed connection to a computer.
• Canon Digital Camera software included, as well as Arc Soft

Camera Suite 2.0.
• Powered by Canon BP-511 rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, with AC adapter/in-camera charger included.