The Mirrorless G Series

This post is almost a joke but it’s time to make my annual prediction for the next PowerShot G camera even though the G1X was launched only a few months ago. This time last year, I predicted the “G14” – Wrong!

Canon has previously said that the G1X does not replace the G12. The G12 is still listed on the Canon website. The Canon statement leaves room for a “G14” to replace the G12; however, my G14 prediction is that there will be no successor to the G12 as such. The G1X will turn out to be the successor to the G12 after all – as most people believed anyway. Canon was simply hedging their bets by not taking the G12 off the market at the time of the G1X launch.

The G2X, as it almost certainly will be named, is still many months away – probably late summer next year. Like recent G series cameras, the G2X will continue as an evolutionary step from the G1X. The real news – and apparently coming soon – is the mirrorless PowerShot.

Of course, none of the G series Canon Powershots have a mirror but that is beside the point. The current craze is for “mirrorless” cameras and Canon will soon join that club.

“Mirrorless” is usually understood to mean not only a camera without the mirror of the single lens reflex (SLR) and its digital descendant but also to be a compact camera with interchangeable lenses. Sometimes this type of camera is abbreviated as “MILC” for mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Some of these mirrorless cameras more or less resemble rangefinder cameras of old (which did not have a mirror either) while others take on the look and feel of a DSLR.

Everyone expects that Canon will launch a mirrorless camera soon and “soon” is July 24 according to Canon Rumors. What will this new camera be named? It certainly could continue as a PowerShot although some seem to think it will be an entirely new series. I think the Canon mirrorless is likely to be a PowerShot Pro2.

The PowerShot Pro1 was a revolutionary product launched in 2004 and never updated. It had a different shape and a relatively large (for the time) sensor for a compact camera. Although the Pro1 had – and still has -- its devotees, reviews were somewhat subdued. I recall giving it a serious consideration but deciding to pass on the Pro1.

I don’t really think that the new Canon mirrorless will be named the PowerShot Pro2. “Pro2” makes me think of second best. I think the new Canon mirrorless will be named the PowerShot Pro1X (with future versions being named “Mark II”, etc.).

The Pro1X may not look like the older Pro1 (I hope it looks like a “rangefinder”) but will borrow and evolve enough Pro1 features to be recognized as a legitimate descendant. Evolved features will include:

• High resolution EVF + articulated LCD
• Hybrid autofocus
• Intervalometer
• Pop up flash + hotshoe

The Pro1X will be a true PowerShot with many features borrowed from the G1X including:

• A tweaked G1X sensor
• DIGIC 5 processor
• Movie modes with added features
• SCN and filter modes
• Built-in neutral density filter
• Variable aspect ratio image files
• Video button (but protected from accidental activation)
• Image Stabilization

The Pro1X will include “new” features such as

• Interchangeable lenses
• Initially 3 lenses: wide and telephoto zoom, fixed 40mm pancake
• New lens mount, plus adapter for DSLR lenses
• Wifi
• Flash controls like 7D (oh please, please!)
• Larger battery
• 4 to 8 frames per second burst in RAW mode
• eliminate 1 second shutter speed limit in Av mode
• Touchscreen controls (in addition to G1X type physical controls)

Apparently we will know in a few weeks.

I predict that the Pro1X will be criticized for not being “pocketable”. Also, many will criticize the EVF and point out that the EVF makes the camera larger than necessary.

(Why do I do this? Just for grins! I have no affiliation with Canon and no real source of information to use as the basis of these guesses.)

G1X?

It more and more appears that Canon is about to launch the next addition to the PowerShot G series: G1X. If rumors are true, and I believe they are, the G1X is spec’d out as a very nice enthusiast’s camera and I intend to get one – in February from what is being said.

When I first read the G1X rumor on the CanonRumors site, I believed it but became skeptical while reading the resulting comments on the CanonRumors discussion forum. Followup on the DPReview discussion forum convinced me that the G1X rumor was not true. The main areas being questioned were:

• The original source of the rumor, WellsFargoAdvisors, was severely questioned and criticized (that site no longer includes the G1X product announcement).

• The rumor first said that the G1X was fitted with a 1.5” sensor. This is an odd size and the methods for specifying sensor size are very confusing. One interpretation was that this would be an impossibly large sensor. Another interpretation was that this was a typo and the correct sensor size was 1/1.5. It was then pointed out that a 1/1.5” sensor would be only marginally larger than the existing G series sensor and therefore not competitive. DPReview has a good explanation of the numbers used to specify sensor size.

• Again relating to the supposed 1.5” sensor as a diagonal measurement, many pointed out that the G1X would be impossibly large and high priced.

• The rumored zoom lens was only 28mm to 112mm – a relatively short 4:1 zoom. G series enthusiasts seem to want both a wider and longer zoom – say, 24mm to 144mm (me too).

• The rumor gave the aperture a range of f2.5 to f16. My interpretation was that this was truly a “range” but many others thought that the zoom lens would have f2.5 at the shortest focal length and f16 at the longest focal length. Such a lens would not be competitive, f16 being far too limited.

• The rumor did not include photos of the G1X or any specifics such as size, weight, type of view finder, type of display, etc.

As I mulled over these arguments, I again became a believer in the rumor. It now appears that WellsFargoAdvisors probably released a summary announcement prematurely. The sensor is probably identified correctly as 1.5” based on an old video tube naming convention. This really means that the sensor is somewhat larger than a micro-four-thirds sensor but smaller than the APS sensor. The lens must be physically larger than the current G series zoom lens because of the larger sensor. The lens was probably limited to 4:1 zoom in order to keep the body of the G1X relatively slim. The maximum aperture is probably something like f2.5 to f4.8 depending on the zoomed focal length. The minimum aperture is probably f16 for all focal lengths.

I expect the G1X to look like a recent G series PowerShot, probably most like the G12 but a little larger and thicker. The optical viewfinder of the G series will probably be sacrificed for the sake of size (it’s not a good viewfinder and many do not like it although some insist on an optical viewfinder).. The articulating LCD display may also be a casualty of size (hope not).

In my own predictions and wishes, I’ve variously and inconsistently described a camera somewhat like the rumored G1X.  I sure hope that the G1X accepts accessories such as lens/filter adapters, flash, flash triggers, remotes, etc. I especially hope that the flash system on the G1X is the same as the Canon DSLR flash system.

It is now being said that the G1X will be announced early next week!

A Year at LightDescription

Although not quite the end of the year, today I have the time and inclination to summarize 2011.  I blame this timing on my real job for which I must submit a monthly report before the end of each month.  First, some background and statistics.

LightDescription began five years ago with a variation on a joke and true story; it now includes 356 posts – some 70 posts per year.  I usually do at least one post per week.  This year, there have been 92 posts – primarily because of my PAW commitment. Except for PAW, LightDescription has become mostly about my adventures in learning to use equipment and technique.  Next year the PAW (as such) will be dropped; its replacement will be photographic but non-geek in nature.

For many readers, LightDescription is about the G series of Canon PowerShot cameras; however, it really is not.  I happen to find the G series to be a good fit to my needs, purposes, and preferences and therefore have chosen to use them as my primary cameras (although I have, uh, many other, cameras).  By “using” a camera, I really mean to become proficient with (nearly) all its features and doing so takes me quite a while.  Organizing my thoughts for a blog post helps me in the process – hence LightDescription.

In much the same way as becoming proficient with a camera, I want to learn to use a flash.  This “want” has led me to many flashes, add-ons, gadgets, techniques, etc.  In many ways, flash is even more geek-like than a camera and lens.  I have a long way to go in the learning-about-flash process.

In 2011, there have been nearly 60,000 visits to LightDescription.  Most days there are between 100 and 300 visitors.  Most visitors are new to LightDescription and find their way here through a search engine looking for information about a piece of camera or flash equipment.  On average, a visitor views two posts before exiting. 

The most popular posts for the past 30 days are shown on the left hand side of the blog.  The most popular post during 2011 has been about the Yongnuo 460 flash which still works well for me and is used regularly.

I’ll summarize the PAW experience and popular pictures in another post.

As for being the “G12 blog”, that almost certainly will change in 2012 as will the need for focusing on the G12. I could continue using the G12 for my photography or, based on past choices, I could be getting and writing about a G14 but who knows what Canon will be doing and when they will be doing it? 

S100 Review – New G Coming?

Combining and commenting on two newsy items …

An extensive and largely positive review of the new PowerShot S100 has been posted by DPreview. It appears that Canon’s upgrade of the popular S95 has been successful.  In particular, Canon’s CMOS version of the 1/1.7 inch CCD used in both the G12 and S95 enabled new features to be added to its compact enthusiast camera.

About the same time, CanonRumors began speculating on a successor to the G12.  Interestingly, follow-up discussions in the CanonRumors Forum  vary widely with respect to a wish list or even the need for such a camera.  The points made by Canon and interpretation by CanonRumors seem to point to  a new “G” (variously being called G13, G14, Gx)  being introduced in 2012. 

My own opinion about the “G14” (my previous guess about the product name)  has changed and is changing again.  I’d made my own wish list and then decided that the days of the G series as we know it were over.  When the S100 came along, I began to think that the next G would really be a souped-up S100 and use the same sensor.  Later, I again decided that the days of the G were over but that Canon would introduce a compact  “mirrorless” camera with interchangeable lenses.  Now I’m back to believing that the “Gx” will be a non-interchangeable lens camera with CMOS sensor but somewhat larger than the S100 sensor.  Surely the “Gx” will have virtually all the features of the S100.  I hope it will include the features from my own wish list.

S100 Announced

Today Canon announced the launch of its latest PowerShot camera, the S100.  The S100 appears to be a significant upgrade to last year’s S95 and manages to squeeze quite a lot of features into a small package.  More details from Canon at the S100 page.

CanonRumors first predicted that the S100 would be announced Tuesday and then revised that prediction to be today.

In my own predictions, I was both right and wrong but missed many details.  First of all, my prediction was built around a successor to the G12 – which I called the G14.   However, I acknowledged that the emphasis would be on the successor to the S95 – which I correctly predicted would be called the S100.  (Seems obvious now but many thought that S100 would not be “reused” because of the S100 Digital Elph in 2000.)   I thought that the announcement would come in late August and would include both the G14 and S100.

I got the “Digic V” right (duh) and even the new sensor and 12MP but gave up too soon on Canon using CMOS in that size sensor.  Because I’d given up on CMOS, I did not predict full HD video.  I didn’t think to predict a lens both wider and longer for the S100.  On the other hand, I did predict GPS (for the G14).

In predicting the G14, I once again thought that it would be the last of the G series but now it appears that the G12 is the last G standing.  Or is it?  Canon has not said that the G series has ended.  Canon has simply not announced a new G series camera.  The new CMOS sensor in 1/1.7 inch format is a key consideration.  At this point, the only Canon cameras using the 1/1.7 inch sensor format are/were the S and G series.  If Canon does not continue with a CMOS G14 then the S100 will be their only camera using that sensor.  This makes me think that there will be a CMOS G14 in the near future (well, probably early next year).   Enticingly, that CMOS G14 probably out-specs the S100!

Dpreview has posted their hands-on preview of a pre-production S100.  Very interesting.

GX: Wishin’ and Hopin’

In my G14 predictions, I emphasized prediction and not wishing. As a result of attempting to be realistic, my prediction is not particularly exciting but I’ll stand by it (even though rumors of the S100 indicate a new lens might be coming). Several readers have let me know that they hope I am wrong and, actually, I do too. I can’t imagine buying the predicted G14 but I could buy a “GX” if it were an innovative expansion and upgrade of the G12. Here’s my wish list.

Thinking in terms of photography, the four basic parameters need upgrading on the G12:

• 1) Sensitivity – increase ISO, dynamic range plus reduce noise
• 2) Shutter speed – remove 1 s max in Av, 15 s max otherwise
• 3) Aperture – one more stop at all focal lengths
• 4) Optics – wider and longer zoom

Of course, optics, aperture and physical size are linked so these wishes mean the GX would probably be physically larger than the G12. That’s OK with me as long as the GX remains smaller than, say, the old G3. One way to vary the optics would be interchangeable lenses. The GX could come with a small, inexpensive “kit” lens, say 35mme to 70mme at f4, and have three or four optional lenses available – including a small “pancake” design with fixed focal length. Ideally, a lens adapter would allow existing Canon DSLR lenses to be used on the GX. If the GX is to be adaptable to existing Canon DSLR lenses then image stabilization will be a part of the lens design and not the sensor. No doubt someone would reverse engineer the GX adapter so that lenses from other manufacturers could be used as well.

Why do we wish for a larger sensor? OK, I’m aware of all that stuff but my point is that we should ask for sensor features at high quality and not presume the physical size – let the Canon engineers worry about the sensor size. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Canon came out with new technology that produced APS-C results from the current sensor physical size?

And then there’s video. As a believer in the convergence of video and still photography, I almost included video in my basics list. It is easy and obvious to wish for the upgrade from 720p HD to full 1080p HD video as part of the GX feature set but don’t forget about manual controls. Give me an optical zoom, please (but a quiet one) and a plug-in for an external microphone.

Thinking of features, I’d like to see the following on the GX:

• Dramatic improvements in focus and shutter lag
• a manual “street” mode (display off, instantaneous response)
• RAW + adjustable JPEG simultaneous shooting
• Flash control like Canon DSLRs including master controller
• Touch screen for menu-like settings (only)
• Larger and higher resolution screen (articulated)
• graduated neutral density filter (in addition to existing ND filter)
• something cutesy that I won’t be able to imagine.

Things I can give up … well, why give up anything?  Maybe the optical viewfinder. 

I’ll accept all this in August but am not expecting it.

Oh, and keep the $500 price tag!

PowerShot G Prediction

 

It’s that time again. For the past few years I’ve made my prediction for the next G series camera about this time. I predicted the G10, G11 and G12. This is not to say that my predictions have been particularly accurate; in fact, my predictions have been pretty far off although I have got a few things right. What I’m trying to do here is predict – not wish (although I’ll do a bit of that as well). I have no affiliation with Canon and no secret sources of information. These predictions are simply what I think will happen.  I make these predictions because it is fun to do so.

Previously, in predicting the G12, I began with the G series and mentioned the S series. For this prediction, I would like to first acknowledge the S series – even though I don’t have one -- and move on to the G series. Briefly, the G series will continue for one more year as a variant of the S series – instead of the other way around – because the S series is so popular. Next year, I expect the G series, as we know it, to disappear and be replaced by an entirely new product line -- I think of it as the “GX” -- having a larger sensor. I expect the S series to continue for a few more years. Now back to the next G …

It is a real challenge is to predict the next PowerShot G product name. G13 would be the obvious choice except that Canon appears to be somewhat superstitious about product names. The best example of this superstition is that Canon skipped from the PowerShot G3 to the G5 (although you can easily find discussion of “G4” attributes on some discussion forums!). Canon also skipped “G8” as a product name. Supposedly, G4 and G8 did not sound appealing or invoked unfavorable superstitions in some languages. Noting the numerical sequence of G4 and G8, some thought that G12 would also be skipped but I did not and accurately predicted “G12”. But now I’m thinking of unlucky “13” and am predicting that the next PowerShot G will be labeled G14. While I’m at it, I’ll predict that the new S series camera will be called the S100 even though there was a PowerShot S100 Digital Elph in 2000.

So I think that there will be another PowerShot G and that it will be called the G14. I think that the PowerShot G14 will be announced sometime in late August and available in mid-October 2011. These dates are typical of past announcements and availability and are probably the most accurate of my predictions. What features will be included in this G14?

First, foremost and almost certainly, the PowerShot processor will be updated and called the “Digic V”. The current Digic IV dates to 2008 and it is time for an update. Digic V will be faster, more powerful, etc., etc. than Digic IV. Digic V means that the G14 will be more responsive than the G12. Perhaps the G14 will obtain focus more quickly although it still will not be hyperactive- granddaughter quick.

The G14 will retain the form factor and general appearance of the G12, including the optical viewfinder, articulated display screen and too-small control dial. The back of the G14 will have a few more contours in an attempt to prevent inadvertent button pressing (I hope, I hope).

In addition to the new processor, the G14 will have a new sensor. The S100 will use the same sensor although, as noted previously, the real progression is that the G14 will share the sensor of the S100. That’s an easy prediction because every G series has had a new sensor (although the G12 sensor may be nearly the same as the G11). Canon will be unable to resist the siren call of the Pixels and will increase the G14 pixel count to 12MP. The sensor size, in spite of many wishes to the contrary, will remain the same as the G12 and the sensor will continue to be a CCD – not a CMOS sensor. This is a popular sensor size and Canon outsources it (from Sony according to rumor). Even while increasing pixel density, Canon will claim improved noise and high ISO performance. I hope these claims will be correct.

Features? Yes, the G14 will have additional “features” although most of these will be added with software. Add something, remove something. Most likely, the new features will be so cutesy that I cannot begin to imagine them. Perhaps there will be additional in-camera editing. The Movie Digest Mode from the SX230HS looks interesting and will be added to the G14.

A GPS system, similar to that used in the SX230HS, will be added to the G14. This is a popular feature and many have been wishing for it.

Although tempting to predict that the G14 will have full HD video (1920 x 1080), I think that the 720 HD video limit will remain although I predict that 30 fps will be added. I don’t think that optical zooming or automatic focusing during video will be added. Apparently Canon has serious reservations about noise generation during such mechanical adjustments. I do expect that some sort of audio notes will be included in the G14 – probably like the G3 or G9.

My G12 has some undocumented features (bugs) that have not been addressed with firmware updates and I think these will be corrected in the G14. Most notably, the irritating “screen blanking” when using non-Canon flash accessories will be fixed. Also, once again, the “My Colors” adjustment will be applied to JPEGs generated when shooting RAW + JPEG. On the other hand, long time shortcomings such as the 1 second shutter speed limit in Av mode will not be changed in the G14.

There you have it. I predict a rather boring evolutionary step from the G12 to the G14 except that, when you think about it, the G14 (as predicted) will be quite a nice camera. Will I buy a G14? I don’t know. Nothing in my predictions causes my wallet to vibrate. What would it take for me to get a G14? Oft debated hardware and optical features such as a larger aperture, increased focal length on the long end of the zoom and a larger control dial would be very nice additions to the G14. A really quick auto focus would be irresistible. Sadly, I don’t expect such significant changes.

The G14 will be, I think (once again!), the last of the “G” series although the classic G characteristics will be readily identifiable in the “GX” series to be announced next year. The PowerShot GX (PowerShot G is far too powerful a brand name to drop) will be a compact camera with a larger sensor (and it will be CMOS) than the current G series. The GX will not have an interchangeable lens and will not have an optical viewfinder or an electronic viewfinder. The GX will necessarily be larger than the G. I’m looking forward to the GX!