Canon PowerShot G2

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From source to output
Once the images are captured you need to put them somewhere. With the Canon PowerShot G2 you have several options. For those who will eventually send their images to print, the G2 allows you to connect directly to the CP-10 Printer and manage your printing tasks directly from the camera. These are small credit card sized photos, but useful if you need to take ID photos, etc. [an error occurred while processing this directive]
The macro setting on the G2 let's you get extremely close to the subject, but you may want to purchase a macro lens adapter to get even closer. Click for larger image (photo by Paulo de Andrade)
An option I have not used much with digital cameras is the ability to display your photos as a slideshow on your television. I can see how this could be handy if you were visiting friends and relatives and wanted to show them the shots you took that day of your family get together or outing, but with the 32MB compact flash card that comes with the G2, I doubt you will want to permanently keep your photos on the storage card. If you want to show your images on television, it might be easier to burn them on a DVD.

If you are like me, you will want to manipulate, crop, and tweak your image before sending them to their final destination. Canon ships software that will let you send the images from the camera to your PC or Mac using an included USB cable. To tell the truth, I am not a huge fan of having to install a program just so I can get my images off a camera and into Adobe Photoshop. But after installing and seeing what options are available with the G2 software, I have changed my mind. First the software will let you save and manage your images just like any other digital camera application, and it will also let you send the images directly to Photoshop (or other graphic program), after it has moved the photos to the disk drive. As an added bonus the software also let’s you control the camera remotely. You can zoom, focus, and take pictures directly from the computer. If you have ever toyed with the idea of doing a stop motion animation or time-lapse, and didn’t want to use a low end Internet cam or your $5000 DV cam, then you can certainly do it with the Canon PowerShot G2. I really like this feature as it gives you even more ways to use your digital camera.

Disadvantages
Even after taking a nasty fall, the Canon PowerShot G2 still takes great pictures. Fast enough to stop a splashing wave, and reproduces vivid color. Click for larger image. (photo by Stephen Schleicher)
A word of caution whenever you purchase a new piece of equipment that you want to keep around for a long time, don’t trust anything the manufacturer ships with the unit. Test everything out thoroughly before taking it out in the field. Of all the things that should be the least trouble turned out to be a major problem with this camera. In this case it was the neck strap that shipped with the unit. I attached the strap securely and even tested it out in my hotel room before heading out to Crystal Cove State Park to take some nice coastal pictures. Unfortunately the minute I started walking down the steps to the beach the strap slipped loose and caused the camera to take a nasty fall. Luckily the steps were wood and the camera only took one bounce, but the camera LCD did get scratched in the fall. Also, the camera was off at the time (the lens was retracted) and the lens cover was on, otherwise a lot more damage could have been done by this flimsy excuse for a neck strap that Canon included. On the plus side, this camera still worked, proving that it is rugged enough for the clumsiest of users. I was most concerned that the lens or chip could have been knocked out of alignment so I took several pictures immediately following this incident. Thankfully the camera still took great pictures, and I haven’t had any problems since then.

Another minor disappointment with this camera is with the built in flash. It does not automatically adjust its intensity when you switch to macro mode or when you are very close to your subject. The simple solution is to purchase one of the external flash units mentioned previously.

Final Thoughts
The Canon PowerShot G2 reproduces brilliant colors, that make even a Kansas sunset beautiful. Click for larger image. (photo by Stephen Schleicher)
If you are in need of a camera that does not run you into debt, while at the same time has lots of features and delivers an excellent image, then the Canon PowerShot G2 is a digital camera that you should seriously consider purchasing. If you haven’t been able to tell, I really love this camera, and have used it just about everyday since I received it. The Canon PowerShot G2 is the type of digital camera that encourages you to take your time when shooting, much like a traditional 35mm camera. I give this camera a Digital Media Net Strong Buy Recommendation.


Want to buy it? Click image to see Amazon.com’s best price.


Stephen Schleicher is the producer for Digital WebCast and Digital Animators. You can reach him at stephens@digitalmedianet.com

Source: Digital Media Online
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