Canon today announced a major redesign and repurposing of its “posh” high-end enthusiast-level G-line of PowerShot cameras, including the first G with an electronic viewfinder. Canon also expanded its mirrorless camera lineup to include the M10, as a lower-cost, snapshooter-friendly alternative to the M3, plus a pair of new EFM-mount lenses.
The Canon EOS M10 was introduced today, promising SLR quality in a budget-priced, easy to use intechangeable-lens camera. It features a 18MP APS-C sensor (its big brother, the Canon EOS M3, has a 24MP sensor). The new model claims outstanding low-light performance, and adds Wi-Fi and NFC wireless connectivity to its feature set.
Key features
• 18MP CMOS APS-C sensor
• ISO 100-12800
• 4.6fps burst rate
• 3-inch tilt-up 1,040k resolution touch-screen monitor
• 1080 movies at 24 and 30p in MP4 format
• Self-portrait mode
• Built-in flash
• Compataible with Canon ConnectStation CS100
• Wi-Fi, NFC
• RAW and JPEG image file capture
Compatible with Android and Apple IOS devices via the Canon Camera Connect app, the M10 shares many of the M3’s features, including full 1080p video, Creative Assist easy image adjustment, a built-in flash, and compatibility with Canon’s growing lineup of EF-M lenses as well as all of Canon’s EF and EF-S DSLR lenses via an adapter.
The EM10 is light in weight, and compact, with rounded edges for a comfortable grip. ISO range of 100-12800 can be expanded to 25600. Canon says its Hybrid CMOS AFII measures up to 49 different points in an image, and covers nearly 80 percent of the frame. Face detection and object tracking will help you get better portraits and action shots, respectively.
The camera is backed by a touch-operated , 3-inch, tilt-up LCD monitor with 1,040k dot resolution. The monitor can be tilted up over the top of the camera so users can compose selfies.
The Canon EOS EM10 will be available starting at $599 with a kit lens.Itcan be pre-ordered now from Adorama.
Canon also announced that two new lenses will join its lineup of EF-M lenses, built specifically for the EOS M series of MILCs. They are:
Canon EF-M15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM (SL)
This new kit lens designed for the M-series is said to have precise, fast autofocus when using the full-time manual focus mode (AF+MF). Canon claims 3.5 stops of optical stabilization, while the lens boasts three Aspheric elements. the lens retracts to make it look like a pancake lens. It’s the equivalent of a 39-72mm zoom on a 35mm-sensor camera. The lens will cost $299.
Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM (SL)
Canon today also introduced a silver version of itslightweighttele-zoom. The offers smooth and quiet STM focusing , making it well-suited for video, which a circular 7-blade aperture should deliver pleasing bokeh. Canon says the Optical Image Stabilizer will buy you 3.5 stops, an important feature when shooting while zoomed all the way out. The lens consists of one aspheric and on UD lens element to reduce chromatic aberration. The lens is the equivalent of a 82-320mm lens on a 35mm-sensor camera. The new silver version joins the already existing black model, and will cost $349.
Canon Overhauls its G Lineup
Canon’s PowerShot G line of cameras has always been aimed at DSLR photographers who wanted something more compact, and the latest two models reflect changing demands of photographers who want the quality a larger sensor provides. As a result, Canon has moved away from thumbnail-sized sensors that used to be the default in the G models. Both the G5X and G9X, introduced today, feature a 20.2MP 1-inch CMOS sensor, and the metering, ISO range and shooting modes are more or less identical.
Nevertheless, they are very different cameras.
The G5X ICAG5X is the new high-end PowerShot G and basically redefines the line. The first G-series model with a built-in EVF, the camera looks like a miniaturized DSLR. In fact, the electronic viewfinder boasts very high resolution, at 2.36 million dots, and that should make it a very tempting choice for more serious photographers. Exterior dials and knobs are laid out similar to that of a DSLR.
Other premium features include a wide-aperture 24-100mm (35mm equivalent) f/1.8-2.8 optical zoom lens, and a 3-inch flip-out LCD monitor.
Shooting choices abound: Custom, Manual, Av (aperture-priority), Tv (shutter-priority), Program, Hybrid Auto, Auto, Creative Shot, Portrait, Self Portrait, Star Portrait, Star Nightscape, Star Trails, Star Time-Lapse Movie, Handheld Night Scene, Fireworks, High Dynamic Range, Nostalgic, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Background Defocus, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Standard Movie, Short Clip, Manual Movie, and iFrame Movie. Creative filters, sports, and a variety of photo effects are also offered.
There really isn’t anything else quite like the G5X among self-contained compact digital cameras. The closest “competition” would be the Olympus OM-D series as well as the Fujifilm X-T1, although of course they’re interchangeble-lens cameras. Has Canon created a new sub-category with the G5X? Perhaps so!
The Canon PowerShot G5Xwill sell for $799, and can be pre-ordered now from Adorama.
The G9X’s specs read basically the same as the G5X, but it is a different kind of camera. It is smaller, and is designed and priced for more casual use. Although the lens is shorter and has a smaller maximum aperture (35mm 28-84mm f/2-4.9), it lacks a hot-shoe for shoe-mounted flash, there’s no EVF, and the 3-inch LCD monitor does not flip out.
Other than that, the sensor (20MP 1-inch CMOS), ISO range (125-6400, boostable to 12,800) and range of shooting modes and photo effects is mostly the same as the G5X. Ideal for budget-conscious photo enthusiasts who want near-DSLR image quality and DSLR-like control, albeit via menu items rather than physical knobs and dials.
The Canon PowerShot G9X will cost $529, and will be available in Black and Silver (shown) bodies. Itcan be pre-ordered now from Adorama.
