G12: Clock Video

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The most difficult part of making this video was staying awake until midnight.

No, I take that back. The most difficult and frustrating part was overcoming the spasmodic Google editor that sometimes permits uploading pictures and video and sometimes does not.

Remember that there are essentially zero options while making a G12 video. To make this one, I selected video at "HD" resolution and neutral color settings. Although shutter speed, aperture and ISO are selected by the G12, as a point of reference, using Tv mode at 1/50 second, the f stop was 3.5 and the auto ISO selection was 1250.

I began the video at a mid zoom setting and then zoomed in. The zoom is (yes, I know) a digital zoom. Notice that the audio changes while zooming in. Although I'd hoped that the digital zoom would be, in fact, OK, it is not. Notice the poor quality at maximum digital zoom.

For post processing, I did nothing. That is, I wanted to do nothing. The file was downloaded from the G12 as a .mov file and also attempted to upload to Blogger as .mov. Just as I have no control over the G12 video, I also have no control over Blogger re-formating. As it turned out, Google Blogger would not accept the .mov file. I then used "Any Video Converter" (a good tool) to convert to a .mp4 format also at 24 fps. Whereas the .mov file was 92 MB, the .mp4 file was only 4.5 MB; however, Google Blogger appeared to accept the .mp4 but actually did not. I next converted the .mov file to .avi; the .avi file size was 5.6 MB; again Google Blogger appeared to accept the .avi file but did not. I even used the "old" Google Blogger editor but with the same failure. Finally, I uploaded the original .mov file to YouTube and attempted to link to that file.  Last night, the YouTube video could not be linked to this blog but this morning it linked.
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G12

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It's time to make my annual prediction about the next camera in the Canon PowerShot G series. Last year, I was a bit off but perhaps this is the year I get it right.

Every year since 2000 with the exception of 2005, Canon has introduced a new G series camera. The launching of the next G model is usually in August, September or October (although the G5 was launched in June). When there was no new G series introduced in 2005, the G6 was widely believed to be the last of the breed but the G7 came along to give the G series new life. The last two models, G10 and G11, were launched in October. For 2010, Photokina will be in September so that seems a safe bet for the announcement of the next PowerShot G.

Because there was no G4 or G8, some believe that there will be no G12; however, I believe that the next in the G series will indeed be named G12.

So, what about the new G12? Although the wish lists will soon begin to flow into the discussion forums, I believe that the G12 will simply be a G11 with full HD video. HD video means a new sensor but then every new G series camera has had a new sensor. Even though Canon credited improved high ISO performance to the reduced pixel count (10MP) of the G11, I expect that the G12 will have, uh, 12MP – convenient, eh? To get full HD video, Canon may choose to use a CMOS sensor of its own manufacture instead of buying a CCD from Sony.

As for my own wish list, I'd sure like further improvements in shutter delay. I don't understand why there is any delay at all when a camera is in full manual mode. I'd also like for the G12 to have flash modes and controls like Canon's DSLRs and especially to have the G12 internal flash trigger an external flash (like my 7D).

Although I don't expect a new lens, no doubt the G12 will have a few additional tweaks. Canon always seems to add a few software implemented features and also to drop a few. That Digic chip must be just about fully loaded.

I also expect an updated S90 based on the G12 sensor and including full HD video.

My PowerShot camera system stopped with the G9 but I'd be greatly tempted to update to such a “G12”.

… and Canon's answer to Micro Four Thirds? My bet is that Canon will compete with an APS-C sized CMOS based camera. This camera will not be part of the PowerShot series but let's hope that Canon uses what they've learned from their PowerShot experience. Look for this completely new camera about this time next year or perhaps at PMA in September 2011.
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HD Video and the DSLR

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I fully expected the Canon G11 to have HD Video and still can hardly believe that it does not.  Whatever the marketing or technical reasons for Canon's not including HD Video in the G11, the 7D has it and I bought the 7D instead (that should show them!).  I had and still have great plans for learning HD Video with my 7D but, so far, have done very little of it.  At least part of my hesitation is the very large learning curve in front of me 

I've recently found a "book" that should help:  "Mastering HD Video with Your DSLR" by Helmut Kraus and Uwe Steinmueller.   This is a 40MB downloadable E-Book in pdf format; it costs $29.95 and seems well worth the price to me.  Even though I'm only part way through the book I'm enthusiatic enough to recommend it to others.

One surprise though:  No video in the E-Book!  I've never seen video in a pdf file but I'll bet it is coming -- if not already available.
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7D

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After much agonizing and deliberation, I decided to upgrade my Canon 20D (DSLR) instead of my Canon G9. In other words, I decided to purchase a Canon 7D instead of a G11. The 7D has arrived and is looking good!

As just a bit of my thinking and rationalization, my wife and I share the photography hobby and therefore the equipment. When we began, I had some old film cameras (most notably the Konica T2), but we became more serious with a pair of Canon EOS SLR film cameras and gradually accumulated lenses, flashes, etc. From film, I eased into the Dark Side with the Canon G3 and liked it so much that we bought a 20D shortly after it became available. The 20D is a fine camera but we had only one and it quickly became my wife’s camera! Whenever we were photographing together, my wife used the 20D and I used various combinations of the G3 and film (usually transparency). The G9 was definitely an upgrade from the G3 but we obviously needed another DSLR.

Why a DSLR and why the 7D? In a word, my granddaughter -- although in truth there’s more to the decision than that Apple-of-My-Eye. In addition to being cute, she is quick – much quicker than the G9 (and yes, I know about the half pressed shutter button, etc.). Video might catch her and HD video (not available on the G11!) seems appropriate. Also, I’m studying off-camera flash and frankly have been envious of Nikon’s ability to control external flash directly from the camera. When not using flash, the 7D’s promise of reduced noise at high ISO sensitivity is very alluring. Finally, the 7D just really seems to be a very good camera. We’ll see.

What about the G9? I still have it, plan to keep it and will certainly be using it; in fact, I used the G9 to get this picture of the 7D. I also still have the G3, 20D and, uh, all my cameras.

What about Light Description? This blog has never been just about the G9 although for much of the past two years it probably appeared to be. As I explore and learn to use the 7D, I’ll be documenting those experiences just as I did for the G9. From time to time I still expect to have a few posts about the G9 or referencing the G9.

What about the 7D? It really feels good in my hand! More later.

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