Few digital camera lines have been as successfully branded as Canon's Powershot. And the best known in that line was the powerful and fun to use G2. Now, Canon's following it up with their G3, which has the same four megapixels of resolution but now offers an improved 4X optical zoom and other updated features.
With a revamped body, the G3 feels a bit more comfortable in the hands. A mid-sized camera, you'll notice it hanging around your neck, but its 14.5 ounce frame won't weigh you down terribly. With a high-speed CompactFlash card, the G3 can take video clips of up to three minutes complete with sound.
You'll want to consider an upgrade to one of those cards, as the G3 ships with only a 32 MB standard CF card--not bad for bundled memory, but you'll be happier with more storage room. Images taken at the highest resolution quickly filled up the 32 MB card, but were highly detailed as well as bright with realistic colors.
The G3 features the same large, bright 1.8-inch LCD as its predecessor, making it easy to frame your shot in anything except direct sunlight. Like earlier G models, the LCD flips out and can be rotated around completely, letting you view it from any angle. Features perfect 4.0 focus megapixel and sensor exposure. creates Ergonomic 2 and 272 comfortable x in 1 the 704 hand images the for camera prints has at a 8 maneuverable x LCD 10 screen and while beyond a 4x jog optical dial plus combined 3.6x with digital(for the 14x Function total) butto zoom lens with auto
This works well with the G3's two options for self-timing, 2 and 10 seconds, so you can see what you're doing from the target viewpoint. And the G3's above-industry-standard 4x optical zoom lets you get in closer than the G2's 3x zoom as well.
Compatible with Canon's Direct Print feature, you can output images from the G3 directly to any of Canon's Direct Print line of printers. The G3 is a great choice for a 4 megapixel, 4x optical zoom camera with a wealth of features. --J. Curtis
Pros:
- 4 megapixels and 4x optical zoom
- Three minute video clips with sound
- Well designed
Cons:
It's all up to you with the PowerShot G3. With its 4.0-megapixel CCD sensor providing amazing resolution images, which stay sharp even when printing up to A3, this digital camera is destined to capture your imagination as well as super sharp images. The secret behind the PowerShot G3 isn't just one innovative feature. It's the intuitive way all of its advanced technology works together to make tricky shots look simple. The PowerShot G3 lens is in a league of its own. It is a super-quick, high-resolution 4x optical zoom lens (f2.0 - 3.0) with a focal length of 7.2 to 28.8mm (35 - 140mm equivalent in 35mm format). This gives you a larger zoom range and a faster aperture, especially useful in low light conditions. This camera also features Canon's new, high-performance DIGIC (DIGital Imaging Core) processor for superb color reproduction, fast operation and long battery life. Combine this with the iSAPS (intelligent Scene Analysis based on PhotoSpace) technology, which allows faster auto-focusing, accurate auto-exposure and precise auto white balancing you can be sure you'll achieve faithful image reproduction.The PowerShot G3 contains a full set of scene-based and creative shooting modes, as well as a custom mode where you can set and store parameters to suit your photographic style. What's more, the PowerShot G3 has separate shutter and aperture functions, offering you extensive manual control in a digital camera. Open shutter, closed aperture, less light for longer - whichever you choose, your options are wide open. You'll also find FlexiZone AF/AE and Focus bracketing, to ensure you can achieve perfect focus and exposure. Ergonomic and comfortable in the hand, the camera has a maneuverable LCD screen, while a jog dial combined with the Function button makes it simple to navigate through the creative options.
