Canon Powershot G16 Review (still a great performer)

g16

While the Canon PowerShot G16 is not the latest model of the series (it’s the Powershot G7 X, though somebody may object) it is still a great performing camera, and still worth a review.

Carl Garrard of Photographic Central felt the pulse of this little, WiFi-enabled compact camera, which was released to the public in August 2013. Let’s start with the core specs:

  • 12.1 Megapixel 1/1.7″ CMOS Sensor
  • Canon 5x Optical Zoom Lens (28-140mm)
  • Optical Zoom Viewfinder and 3.0″ LCD
  • Full HD 1080/60p Video
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processing Engine
  • Enhanced Wi-Fi Capabilities
  • Continuous Shooting at 9.3 fps
  • Intelligent IS Image Stabilization
  • ISO 12800 and Canon HS SYSTEM

As you can see these are respectable specifications. You do not always need the newest gear, especially not if “older” cameras still perform very good (well, it’s just a bit more than a year old, but in this industry it is a long time). Carl highlights the features he liked most:

  • A fast lens with an excellent all purpose range and macro capabilities that gives you a surprising amount of photographic creativity and control for a compact camera
  • Extremely effective optical image stabilization ( I shoot hand held easily down to 1/5th second with no blur) in stills and video
  • A dual axis electronic level that you can calibrate (excellent option Canon)
  • Good low light image quality by any standard (and improved over G15)
  • Superb build quality (and improved over G15)
  • Excellent ergonomics (grip/placement of controls, balance, again improved over G15)
  • Excellently implemented and placed external controls
  • Blazingly fast autofocus (much improved over G15)
  • Raw Files (Supported by popular convertors)
  • Excellent battery life (360 shots per charge or more)
  • Included AF assist lamp
  • Excellent glass covered LCD screen
  • Pocketable (just)
  • Affordable price compared to other serious compacts (as the price dropped)
  • Comfortable spacious grip on the front and rear (better than G15)
  • Optical viewfinder when you need one
  • Quick start up and shut down, and really fast overall operation (image scrolling, accessing menus, in camera development, etc.)
  • Hot shoe and fast sync speeds with external flashes
  • Mostly customizable menu system
  • Two custom menu settings on the mode dial (use them!)
  • Addition of XFine Jpegs, and some NR control of high ISO shots (low to high)
  • New Night Display Function (turns down LCD and changes color so you don’t blind yourself during night shooting)

If you are interested in this camera I suggest you have a look at Carl Garrard’s in-depth review, it’s really covering every aspect you may want to learn about. Sample shot are also provided.

The Powershot G16 sells for $449 on Amazon | B&H Photo | Adorama. Be aware that there is $50 instant discount that will expire on January 3.

[via Photographic Central]

Canon vs Nikon – A Comparison to Make the Right Choice (Canon, obviously)

Jared Polin of FroKnowsPhoto made this video where he compares a bunch of Canon and Nikon cameras. While I strongly suggest you go for a Canon (surprised?) it is never the less interesting to see what Nikon has to offer.

Just a few observations. As Jared Polin points out, Nikon’s mount type does not allow for an auto-focusing lens as fast as f/1.2 (there is more about this in his article):

What many people are not aware of is that Nikon can not produce the F1.2 lenses like Canon can. Nikon’s mount simply wont allow for it to make auto focus lenses similar to Canon’s  85mm f/1.2and shoplink 177]EF 50mm f/1.2[/shoplink]. You have to take this into consideration when you are searching out a camera.

A  winning point for Canon imo. Moreover, have you heard about Nikon D750’s flare shading issue? The issue is caused by an internal component in the camera housing that’s blocking part of the light that is reflected from the AF sensor, blocking it from reaching the sensor. Oh, and do you remember the Nikon D600’s oil spilling issue? Want a seriously engineered camera? Go for a Canon. Just my 2 cents…

[via FroKnowsPhoto]

First Review of Yongnuo’s Canon Nifty-Fifty Clone

y1

PetaPixel reviewed the Yongnuo YN50mm F1.8, a lens that looks pretty much like Canon’s EF 50mm f/1.8 (aka the Nifty-Fifty, one of Canon’s best selling budget lenses). The Yongnuo sells for around $40, the Canon for around $100-$125 .

They got two copies of the Yongnuo, one only to be teared apart. The reviewer says:

[he] can confirm, having repaired a dozen or so Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lenses, that the internals have significant differences. There are some similarities in the glass elements, but the overall construction is quite different

So it looks “cloned” from the outside, but it is not inside. The reviewer used a Rebel T3i/EOS 600D for the test, and for a good reason since he assumes (correctly, I guess) that this $40 super-budget lens will be used on entry level DSLRs, and not on full-frame, pro-level gear.

The Yongnuo performs on the same level as the Canon:

For AF speed, noise, accuracy, etc, I noticed nothing different between the two at any time

As the reviewer writes in the conclusion, for those who do not want to spend $125 for the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8, the $40 Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 is a good option. PetaPixel’s review comes with sample shots.

The Yongnuo is available on Amazon and eBay. 

  • Angle Range: Diagonal 46° /Vertical 27° /Level 40°
  • Lens structure:5 groups 6 slices
  • Minimum aperture: f/22 /Filter diameter/Number of available:52mm/1
  • Closest focusing distance: 0.45 meter
  • Maximum magnification and field of view:0.15×160×240mm (when located to 0.45 meter)

Yongnuo

Canon EOS 7D Mark II In-Depth Video Tutorial Series

CanonUSA on YuoTube posted a set of in-depth tutorial videos about the top features and functions of Canon’s brand new EOS 7D Mark II. The video above highlights the broad coverage of the 7D2’s auto-focus system. The other videos:

Want to know more about the game changing EOS 7D Mark II? Read more about the EOS 7D Mark II’s excellent weather sealing, the highly advanced AF, and the industry leading high ISO performance (have a look here too). All our coverage on the EOS 7D Mark II can be seen here (and there is a lot).

Canon EOS 7D Mark II price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA EOS 7D Mark II Tutorial

Canon CINE-SERVO 50-1000mm T5.0-8.9 Lens Overview Video

CanonUSA on YouTube posted this video where Canon USA’s Larry Thorpe discusses features and benefits of the Canon cine-servo 50-1000mm lens. The lens is yours if you have some $70,000 you don’t need (better you ask your wife before purchasing).

  • Covers up to Super 35mm Sized Sensors
  • 50 to 1000/75 to 1500mm Zoom
  • ENG-Style Zoom, Focus, Iris Servos
  • For Broadcast or Cinema Shooting Styles
  • 180° Focus Ring with Knurled Grip
  • Double Focus Markings in Feet and Meters
  • Detachable Drive Unit
  • Zoom Speed: 1.5 to 180 Seconds
  • Programmable Zoom, Focus, Iris Positions
  • 11-Blade Aperture Design

50-1000mm

[via TDP]

Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 USM IS Review (Photozone)

24

Photozone.de reviewed the 2 years old Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM lens. The lens didn’t score very well.

From the conclusion:

The Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 USM IS and EF 35mm f/2 USM IS delivered pretty impressive results in our lab. Can the Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 USM IS continue this tradition? Unfortunately it doesn’t quite convince as much. The image quality is far from being bad in general but it could be clearly better at f/2.8 at least. The quality in the image center is great but the corners are soft and there’s a quite massive degree of vignetting. At medium aperture settings the quality is much better but it doesn’t provide anything extraordinary here either. On the positive side, the lateral CAs are low and bokeh fringing is not an issue. The bokeh itself is very decent within its class. Image distortions reach a slight to medium degree only.

Never the less, the build quality is excellent and this is a light-weight lens that may appeal to many photographers. The lens has a $50 mail-in rebate to take advantage of, and sells for $549 at Adorama and B&H Photo, but not on Amazon (where it is $599).

Specs:

  • EF Mount Lens
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8-22
  • Aspherical Lens Elements
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • Ultrasonic Focus Motor
  • Rear Focusing System
  • Fulltime Manual Focus Override
  • Lens Coatings Minimize Ghosting & Flare
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 7.9″
  • 58mm Filter Thread Diameter

EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA [via Photozone.de] 244