Canon PowerShot G6 user reviews

4.5 stars

"G5 Gets 8+ Rating G6 Gets 7.3???" on April 21, 2005 by jrclay

Pros: ND Filter, Battery Life, Image Quality, 2" Flip Swival LCD

Cons: Lens Cap, No Digic II

Summary: I've gone over and over the two reviews here from cnet, and it just doesn't add up. How does the G5 get and 8+ rating and the G6 gets a 7.3? It seemed like the only bad thing cnet had to say about this camera was that they didn't like the lens cap?

Let's go over what we know about these two cameras. The G6 has faster start up time and less shutter lag then the G5. G6 is smaller and more compact without sacrificing features. The G6 has a bigger LCD then the G5. The G6 has much better ergonomics. And, the G6 has higher resolution and better picture quality. One of the biggest problems with the G5 was chromatic aberration (purple fringing). This is NOT a problem with the G6, cnet says so in their own review. Yet, they still give the G5 a higher rating then the G6??

Admittedly, start up times and shot to shot times are not stellar on the G6.....but they're better then the G5. So why does cnet give the G5 a better rating?

I understand the fact that the G6 is in a higher class of camera. But it is superior in every way to the G5 and at least deserves an equal if not better rating. Doesn't it?

I upgraded to this camera from the G2. I also own an S410. Canon makes the best consumer and professional digital cameras period. For the price this was no brainer. I paid 60% less for this camera then I did for the G2 3 years ago. Which makes this an awesome value. I was considering the Pro 1 but it was going to be $150 more. The only real difference between the two is that the Pro 1 has a wider focal range and 1 more MP. I doubt that I'd notice the difference between 7.1 and 8 MP.

It would have been nice to see the Digic II processor in this camera, that would have solved the start times, shutter lag, etc. But coming from the G2 (great camera) to this was a huge step up. I'm going to Hawaii in July and can't wait to see the results.

Bottom line, this is a great camera at a great price. Don't believe everything cnet says.

4.0 stars

"Pictures are great! Some featuritis." on February 19, 2005

Pros: It's a GREAT camera, right? Takes great pictures, lens are high quality, zoom is fast, shutter speeds are full featured. This model has nice optional lenses, good quality, ergonomically nice (even though I am left handed I shoot "righty" <smile>)

Cons: SOOOOOOO many settable and forgetablle options. (this might be a product pro for some) If I have to find two flaws the lens cap is really dumb, and should be internally attached to the shaft bezel, so when you turn on the camera it at least comes out prot

3.5 stars

"Powershot G6 allows even picture takers to shoot good photos." on May 3, 2005 by claim

Pros: On screen menus are easy to follow and set up.

Cons: On-off and program switches too easy to accidentally activate.

Summary: Pro
On screen menus are easy to follow and set up.
Long battery life - recently took over 150 photos, many using flash and on one charge.
Swivel flip screen.
Mute option on sounds.
Amble flash.

Con
On-off switch too easy to accidentally activate.
Program control switch too easy to accidentally move.
Obligatory lens cap complaint.
Does not have screw rings for mounting protective lens or filters on main lens.
Red eye reduction could be better.

I should probably preface my comments by saying that I am a picture taker rather than a photographer. I predominately put the camera on Auto and let the camera's system make adjustments for the photos I take. So far, I have not been disappointed with the auto feature as far as my pictures are concerned.

Since I'm only a picture taker, there are obviously many features of the camera I may never use. So my review will mostly list the ergonomics of the camera. It has a nice heavy sturdy feel, the grip that holds the battery gives a good hand hold. The shutter release feels natural under your index finger. The flip screen is bright and clear and is viewable outdoors and allows you to take pictures that are not the typical adult looking down photos...you can get down to your subjects level for that old timey Browning feel. The shutter focus speed has been adequate - more so than my prior camera where the kids or dogs would often leave the photo frame before the shutter clicked. I'm getting face shots of the dog instead of her tail. Yeah.

The cons listed above are not a deal breaker for ownership but a little modification would make the camera a lot more worry free. I've read other reviews that complain that the on/off switch located at the right thumb is too easy to activate. I have found this to be true when putting the camera in the case or simply brushing the camera against my body. The round program switch was designed large to make scrolling the program features easy with slight movement of the thumb, but because the round switch is large, it extends out enough to be moved by placing the camera in it's bag or by being brushed against the body. On several occasions, I had the camera set on auto with 480x600 resolution and found my 32mb flash card full only a few pictures - the program button had gotten moved to a manual setting with full 7 mega pixel resolution photos. They were great, but too large for e-mailing.

Because the lens is a rather large piece of glass and the lens cap does not lock into place, it would be preferred to mount a clear protective lens on the camera, but this can't be done. You can buy attachment filters that mount when the lens protective ring is removed.

The camera strap attachment points are small and pretty much limit you to using the supplied neck strap.

So here is what I have learned in the few weeks I've owned my G6. Pay careful attention when bagging the camera - make sure the camera is not accidentally switched on to prevent jamming the telescoping lens. Before taking pictures, make sure it is set to the program setting that is desired - for me that means making sure it is on auto. And with the swivel flip screen that gives you so many options for framing and taking better pictures, it's hard not to take a decent photo.

4.5 stars

"No doubt - it's the Best camera for the money" on March 23, 2005 by kring

Pros: Quality, Pictures, features, lens, comfort, accessories

Cons: Lens Cap, Start Time, No USB 2.0 support.

Summary: I've had the G3, G5 and now the G6. I'm not partial to Canon in any way but for the price, features and most importantly the build quality and feel of the camera in your hand, Canon's G series has no competition. The layout of the bottons, lens, grip, etc are excellent for easy use. It's a point-and-shoot requiring no adjustment for great pictures, but adds all the bells and whistles of an SLR for those that like to tinker. there are too many positives to list in the review, basically everything is a plus with the minor exception of not having USB 2.0 support for faster download, I wish the startup time would be less then a second, but I'm asking for a lot as the G6 is no slouch and beats most the competition, but I still ask for a quicker start time. and lastly it's a minor request, but a better lens cap configuration would have been nice, but I can live without it.

Overall, you can't go wrong with the G6 and I don't feel there is another camera out there that is qualified to be considered true compentition, all the others are seriously lacking a core feature or are just way too bulky to match the G6. You won't be disappointed!