Canon PowerShot G6 7.1-megapixel digital camera

Features
Inputs and Outputs Notes
Supplied Software
Specifications

Features

Recording Media: The PowerShot G6 records images on a Type I or Type II CompactFlash Card.

Image Recording Format:  The camera records still images, or moving images with mono audio. Still images are recorded in JPEG and RAW formats, and the movies are recorded in AVI format (Image data: Motion JPEG, Audio data: WAVE (monaural)).

Viewfinder: The PowerShot G6 uses a "real-image" optical zoom viewfinder with a diopter adjustment lever. By adjusting the diopter to suit your eyesight (with or without eyeglasses), the viewfinder image will look clearer.

Vari-angle LCD Monitor: The PowerShot G6 has a 2" low temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color LCD monitor featuring approximately 118,000 pixels. The monitor can fold out from the camera body and swivel 270 degrees (180 degrees forward and 90 degrees backward). If the monitor is swiveled to point in the same direction as the lens, the image on the monitor is inverted. When folded out, the monitor adds approximately 2-3/16" to the overall width of the camera.

Image Sensor: The PowerShot G6 features a 1/1.8" CCD imager with a total pixel count of approximately 7.4-million pixels. The effective pixel count is 7.1 million.

DIGIC Imaging Processor and iSAPS Technology: The PowerShot G6 features DIGIC Imaging Processor, for even greater picture quality and faster processing speed. The iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology produces more accurate autofocus, auto exposure, and auto white balance.

Image Resolution/Compression: You can change the resolution and compression settings to suit the purpose of the image you're about to shoot. You can choose from the following resolutions: Large (3072 x 2304 pixels), Medium 1 (2592 x 1944 pixels), Medium 2 (2048 x 1536 pixels), Medium 3 (1600 x 1200 pixels), and Small (640 x 480 pixels). For each resolution, you can set the compression to Superfine, Fine, or Normal. Movies can be shot with the following resolution: 640 (640 x 480), 320 (320 x 240 pixels), or 160 (160 x 120 pixels). Maximum clip length is approximately 3 minutes (30 seconds for 640 resolution).

RAW File Format: The RAW file format records the image data as captured by the camera's CCD without further processing. RAW images are compressed, but the compression is reversible so that a high-quality image can be obtained from the decompressed file without any loss of image quality. 

Auto Focusing: The AF frame indicates the area of the composition on which the camera focuses and can be set manually to the desired area. This is convenient for focusing accurately on an off-center subject to obtain the composition you desire. However, the AF frame is fixed to center-point when the digital zoom is used, even if you previously set the AF frame to the position you desire.

Focusing Range: The camera features the following focus ranges:

• Normal AF: 1.6' to infinity

• Macro AF:

  • 5 - 50 cm (W): 2" to 1.6'

  • 15 - 50 cm (T): 5.9" to 1.6'

• Super Macro AF:

  • 5 - 20 cm: 2" to 7.9"

Focus Bracketing: You can shoot three images while the focus changes automatically when shooting with the manual focus. Three ranges (small, medium or large) can be selected. When focus bracketing is used, the camera will shoot an image with the focus in the selected position, then an image with the focus further away, and one with the focus closer.

Auto Rotate Function: The PowerShot G6's Auto Rotate function uses an Intelligent Orientation Sensor to sense whether your images were shot horizontally or vertically. It then adjusts AF, AE, and white balance accordingly and your images will be automatically rotated to the right position for viewing during playback.

Power Saving Function: In Shooting Mode, the power will automatically shut off approximately 3 minutes after the last function is accessed. In Playback Mode, the power will automatically shut off approximately 5 minutes after the last function is accessed. While connected to an optional printer, the power will automatically shut off approximately 5 minutes after the last camera function is accessed or printer ceases to print an image. 

Shooting Modes: The PowerShot G6 offers several different shooting modes arranged in the following zones:

• Image Zone:

  • Portrait: use this mode when you want the subject to appear sharp and the background to blur

  • Landscape: use this mode to shoot expansive landscape scenes

  • Night Scene: use this mode to capture human subjects against the backdrop of an evening sky or night scene

  • Stitch Assist: use this mode to shoot a series of overlapping frames for merging (stitching) into a large panoramic image using a computer

  • Movie: use for shooting movie frames (at approximately 15 frames per second)

• Creative Zone: 

  • Program AE: use the program AE mode to have the camera automatically set the shutter speed and aperture value to match the brightness of the scene

  • Shutter Speed-Priority AE: when you set the shutter speed in the shutter speed-priority AE mode, the camera automatically selects an aperture value to match the brightness

  • Aperture-Priority AE: when you set the aperture in the aperture-priority AE mode, the camera automatically selects a shutter speed to match the brightness

  • Manual Exposure: you can manually set the shutter speed and aperture to achieve a particular effect

  • Custom Settings: you can save frequently used shooting modes and various shooting settings to the custom mode. This camera is equipped with two modes (C1 and C2), allowing you to save two types of custom settings.

Flash Modes: You can choose from the following flash modes:

• Red-eye Reduction, Auto: the flash may fire automatically as required by the light level. The red-eye reduction lamp fires with each shot.

• Auto: the flash fires automatically as required by the light level

• Flash On With Redeye Reduction: the red-eye reduction lamp and the flash always fire

• Flash On: the flash fires with every shot

• Flash Off: the flash will not fire

• Slow-Synchro: the flash timing is adjusted to slow shutter speeds

Locking the Flash Exposure Setting (FE Lock): You can lock the flash exposure so the exposure settings are correctly adjusted for a particular portion of the subject.

Flash Adjustment Compensation: For flash photography, you can adjust the flash output from -2EV to +2EV in 1/3EV increments.

Flash Timing: The flash timing can be set to 1st-curtain or 2nd-curtain. When 1st-curtain is selected, the flash fires right after the shutter opens, regardless of the shutter speed. When 2nd-curtain is selected, the flash fires right before the shutter closes, regardless of the shutter speed.

Photo Effect Modes: You can choose from the following Photo Effect Modes:

• Vivid: emphasizes the contrast and color saturation to record in bold colors
• Neutral: tones down the contrast and color saturation to record neutral hues
• Low Sharpening: records subjects with softened outlines
• Sepia: records images in sepia tones
• B/W: records images in black and white
• Custom Effect: allows you to adjust the contrast, sharpness, and color saturation
• Off: records with no effect

Continuous Shooting: There are two continuous shooting modes: Standard and High Speed. The interval between shots is shorter at the High Speed setting. The actual interval depends upon shooting conditions and settings. (Example: Shooting interval is approximately 1.2 frames per second at Standard Speed and 2 frames per second at High Speed with camera resolution and compression set at Large/Fine.)

Intervalometer: You can shoot images at a set interval. This function can be used for fixed-point observation of plants and blooming flowers. The shooting interval time can be set from 1 to 60 minutes and 2 to 100 images can be shot.

Metering Modes: You can select from the following metering modes:

• Evaluative Metering: appropriate for standard shooting conditions, including backlit scenes. The camera divides images into several zones for light metering. The camera evaluates the complex lighting conditions, such as the position of the subject, the brightness, the background, the direct light, and the backlighting, and adjusts the settings to the correct exposure for the main subject.
• Center-Weighted Averaging: averages the exposure from the entire image, but places more weight on the subject at the center
• Spot AE Point: allows you to select Center, which meters the area within the spot AE point frame at the center of the LCD monitor (or viewfinder), or, AF Point, which meters the spot AF point corresponding to the AF frame

Exposure Compensation: If you are shooting against a bright background or strong backlight, you may need to correct the exposure so that the subject doesn't come out too dark. You can set the adjustments from -2EV to +2EV in 1/3EV increments.

Auto Exposure Bracketing: With auto exposure bracketing (AEB), the camera automatically changes the exposure level up to +/-2 stops in 1/3-stop increments for three successive shots.

Locking the Exposure Setting (AE Lock): You can set the exposure and focus separately. This is effective when the contrast is too strong between the subject and background, or when a subject is backlit.

ND Filter: The brightness can be decreased by setting the ND filter on. This allows you to select a smaller aperture and a slower shutter speed than usual. Standard brightness is decreased to approximately 1/8 with the filter on. Use of a tripod is recommended when using this mode.

White Balance: You can choose from the following white balance settings:

• Auto: the camera sets the white balance automatically according to shooting conditions
• Daylight: for recording outdoors on a bright day
• Cloudy: for recording under overcast, shady or twilight skies
• Tungsten: for recording under tungsten and bulb-type 3-wavelength fluorescent lighting
• Fluorescent: for recording under warm-white, cool-white, or warm-white (3-wavelength) fluorescent lighting
• Fluorescent H: for recording under daylight fluorescent, or daylight fluorescent-type (3-wavelength) fluorescent lighting
• Flash: for flash photography
• Custom: allows you to manually set the white balance and store up to two different custom settings

ISO Speed: The ISO speed can be set to 50, 100, 200, 400, or Auto.

Instant Review:  After an image is recorded, it will appear in the LCD monitor for a preset number of seconds for reviewing. You can adjust the review time from 2-10 seconds in 1-second intervals. You can also turn off the review function.

Self-Timer: The self-timer starts when the shutter button is pressed. The delay time can be set to 10 seconds or 2 seconds.

Editing Movies: The Edit function in the movie control panel enables you to cut unwanted portions at the start or the end of a movie clip.

Sound Memos: In playback mode (including single image playback, index playback, magnified playback and the review immediately after shooting in Shooting mode) you can attach sound memos (up to 60 seconds) to an image. The sound data is saved in WAVE format.

Slide Show: Images stored on an CompactFlash card can automatically be displayed one-by-one using the Slide Show function. You can display all the stored images or you can customize up to 3 separate slide shows. Up to 998 images can be marked per custom slide show. You can also set the amount of time each image is displayed in a slide show. You can choose 3-10 seconds, 15 seconds, 30 seconds, or Manual. In addition, the repeat function allows you to repeat a slide show after it has finished.

Index Replay: This feature allows you to view nine images at once on the LCD monitor so that you can search for an image quickly.

Image Magnification: When viewing a still picture in Single Image Playback mode, you can magnify the image 2.5x, 5x, or 10x.

Rotating Images: You can rotate an image by 90 or 270 degrees clockwise in the LCD monitor.

Protecting Images: The protect feature allows you to protect important images from accidental erasure.

Power Requirements: The Canon PowerShot G6 is powered by the supplied BP-511A Lithium Ion rechargeable battery pack. For long periods of continuous use, or when connected to a computer, it is recommended that the camera be connected to the optional CA-560 AC adapter kit. The battery can be recharged in the supplied CG-580 battery charger. It takes approximately 90 minutes to charge a fully discharged battery pack. See below for Battery Performance section.

Direct Print Function: Using the supplied USB cable, you can connect this camera directly to a CP-series printer that supports the Direct Print function. You can also connect the camera directly to certain Canon Bubble Jet printers. In this way, you can make prints directly from the camera without ever having to hook it up to a computer.

PictBridge Printing Capability: Using the supplied USB cable, you can connect this camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer. PictBridge is a new standard that allows you to connect a PictBridge compliant camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer and make prints, regardless of brand.

Exif Print (Exif 2.2): The Canon PowerShot G6 conforms to "Exif Print", a worldwide standard. Vital camera settings (such as: exposure mode, white balance, exposure time) and scene data are recorded to the image file when it is captured. Printers compatible with "Exif Print" are able to use this information to produce high quality photographs, exactly the way they were intended at the time of capture. This intelligent communication process also allows the printer to correct for poor lighting or mistakes, resulting in photos that can be even better than the originals.

DPOF Print Settings: On your CompactFlash card, you can select which image or images you want to print and how many copies you want. This is convenient for printing images all at once, on optional Canon direct print function compliant printers or at participating photo labs.

DPOF Transfer Order: You can use the camera to specify settings for images that you wish to send by e-mail. The settings used on the camera comply with the Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) standards. Once images are selected for transfer, you can use the supplied software to actually transfer the images to an e-mail program. A maximum of 998 images can be selected per CompactFlash card, and are transferred in order from oldest to newest by shooting date.

Filter Adapter: If you wish to attach a commercially available filter (58 mm diameter), attach the filter adapter in advance.

Optional Flash Compatibility: Canon EX-series Speedlites offer professional-quality illumination for virtually any subject, and the PowerShot G6 is compatible with the entire line (550EX, 420EX and 220EX), plus Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX and Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX for close-ups.

Wireless Remote: With the supplied WL-DC100 wireless remote, you can operate the camera for shooting or replaying. In the shooting mode, the camera will record the image after a preset delay time of 0, 2, or 10 seconds. You can operate the zoom to compose the image and change the LCD monitor display mode. In the playback mode, you can select the next or previous image, start movie playback, display the index playback, and operate the magnify modes. The IR sensors are located on the front and right side of the camera. 

Inputs and Outputs Notes

Digital Terminal: The PowerShot G6 has a USB 1.1 terminal to allow you to connect the camera to a compatible computer or compatible Canon printer via the supplied USB cable.

AV Output: The camera's minijack output allows you to connect the camera to a TV or video monitor with RCA audio and composite video input jacks using the supplied audio/video cable. You can set the video output to NTSC or PAL.

Supplied Software

Minimum System Requirements:

Specifications

Estimated Image Capacity of CompactFlash cards:

Battery Performance: