Canon PowerShot G15 review

 

 

 

The G15 will do nothing to dent the PowerShot G-series' excellent reputation. It does feel a little expensive when stood against its closest competitors though -- including its sibling, the G1 X, which with the benefit of time has seen its price fall. Nonetheless, performance is good and the wide maximum aperture at both ends of the zoom is seriously tempting.

 

Canon PowerShot G15 key features

• 12MP 1/1.7" Canon CMOS sensor
• 28-140mm equivalent F1.8-2.8 lens, 4-stop 'Intelligent IS'.
• DIGIC 5 processor
• ISO 80-12800
• Fixed 3" 920k dot PureColor II G screen
• Optical viewfinder
• Raw format recording
• Dual-axis electronic level

The G15 uses a Canon-made 12.1MP 1/1.7"-type CMOS sensor, the same as that found in the co-announced S110 (and similar to the one used on the S100), which offers an ISO range from 80 to 12,800 in concert with the DIGIC 5 processor. As we'd expect, Full HD movie recording is available, at a framerate of 24 fps and stereo sound from the built-in microphones. The G15 also (finally) gains a dedicated movie record button, for the first time on a small-sensor G, and the lens can zoom and focus during recording.

One notable improvement from the G12 is distinctly quicker autofocus - 53% faster, according to Canon - which if true, would make the G15 the fastest-focusing compact the company has made. The G15's CMOS sensor also enables rapid continuous shooting at 10 frames per seconds, although only in the somewhat-restrictive High Speed burst HQ mode. In other modes the G15 will shoot at 2.1 fps.