Canon G15 Review: Fast Lens, Small Sensor—What Gives?

Canon ’s “ G ” contrast of cameras have always appealed to point - and - shooters looking for more of a pro experience . The new G15 has some slap-up details — is it a $ 499 camera deserving considering ?

What Is It?

A hefty $ 499 degree - and - shoot camera with plenty of control and a really fast lens .

Who’s It For?

shooter who require physical manual controls , but a cheaper price ticket than mirrorless cameras with exchangeable lenses .

Design

Kudos on this one , Canon . Where looks are concerned , the G15 give way the distance . Everything is well - proportion and well - placed , with an understated , sleek , yet classic look to it . It is small - ish and more succinct than the television camera it replaces , the G12 . But it ’s still not too comfortable in a pant sack .

Using It

It ’s like any other Canon full point - and - shoot . Good , user - friendly command , and no real surprises when operating the G15 . It contain a familiar 12.1 MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 processor , with a 5x visual rapid growth lens system that works out to the full - frame equivalent of 28 - 140 mm . It has a tucked - away flash , and a red-hot - skid if you need to rise a better one up top . The real story is the electron lens , which rock a freaking crazy awesome f/1.8 - 2.8 aperture .

The images you will bring forth are quite decent . For a powder compact , it packs seemly acuteness and solid gamy ISO carrying into action , with an ISO range topping out at 12800 . But you will rule better quality in bigger - sensor camera like Canon ’s higher - price $ 799G1X.

The Best Part

That ultra - degraded f/1.8 - 2.8 aperture makes for low - light goodness and a shallow profoundness of landing field . Even the terrificSony RX100can’t match that at the long remainder .

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Tragic Flaw

The real restriction here is detector sizing . 1/1.7 in just can not compete with the the likes of of the Sony RX100 , or Canon ’s high - ending G1X , which has a 1.5 - inch sensor . certainly , these cameras are more expensive than the G15 , but it still seems like the G15 ’s grand lens — which is superior to both the RX100 and the G1X — is die to waste on a small sensing element .

This Is Weird

The crude matte conclusion is nice but chalky , almost like emery paper . It will get dirty fast .

Test Notes

Canon read goodbye to the articulating show of the G12 . This is a controversial decision that some will sneer at , but we mean that unless you shoot a hatful of video , the trade - off in bulkiness is deserving it .

The optical viewfinder does not need to be there . It whizz along with the lens , but at the long end of the rapid growth range of mountains , it is way off from the picture you are taking . Ca n’t focus with it , ca n’t do anything with it .

Video quality is good , with comme il faut auto - focus , but you could only record at 24 fps in full 1080p . In 720p , you could record at 30 Federal Protective Service .

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There is a genus Lens ring that looks like it would be smashing for manual focus or aperture modification , but actually its only use is to house a mount for a telephotograph transition accessory . entire bummer .

you’re able to put down picture in any mood , but there is a dedicated video circumstance on the mode telephone dial . Weirdly , it does n’t seem to be any different than other modes except for memory access to one video - link up setting in the function menu . you’re able to record video in any modal value .

The display is large and beautiful , but it would be great if it were a touch - projection screen . Canon cognise how to do it right , as figure on the T4i , so why not include it on the G15 ?

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Battery life is shop at 350 shots ( the G12 was 390 ) .

Our full size of it image can be seenhere .

Should You Buy It?

As long as you are fine knowing that the the image quality is stick a notch below enceinte - detector cameras , most of the G15 ’s other attributes are a pleasure . It costs $ 50 more than the Panasonic LX-7 , whichwe liked a lot . Then , for $ 100 more , you could get the greatFuji X10 , with a 2/3 - inch sensing element and better image timbre .

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At $ 499 , the G15 is in the middle of a overnice pack — and it ’s a truly fulfil camera to obtain and use — but nothing labor it above and beyond the contest . We hope that sweet lens make its agency to Canon ’s follow up to the Canon ’s G1X — then , a better detector would do it justice .

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