Canon PowerShot G10

The Canon PowerShot G10 features a 14.7 megapixel sensor and 5x, 28-140mm zoom. Successor to the G9, the Canon G10 also offers a large 3.0” PureColor LCD screen with 461k dots, DIGIC 4 image processor, Canon’s new i-Contrast system which increases the dynamic range, and Servo AF mode to continually adjust focus on a moving subject. The Canon PowerShot G10 will be available from October priced at £499.99 / €649.99 / $500.

Update: We now have some exclusive shots of the Canon G10 from the UK press launch, including a side-by-comparison with the G9 model that it replaces.

Canon UK Press Release

The power to excel: Canon spearheads new PowerShot range with PowerShot G10

United Kingdom / Republic of Ireland, 17 September 2008: Canon today announces its new flagship PowerShot compact digital camera: the PowerShot G10. Replacing the PowerShot G9, the PowerShot G10 is the first G-series camera to offer wide-angle imaging via a 5x (28mm) zoom with optical Image Stabilizer. The addition of a 14.7 Megapixel sensor and Canon’s new DIGIC 4 image processor ensures exacting image quality.

High quality, wide angle lens
With a 5x wide-angle (28mm) optical zoom lens, the PowerShot G10 combines outstanding wide-angle capabilities – making it perfect for landscapes, architecture or interiors – with the telephoto reach needed for flexible composition. Sharp, blur-free shots throughout the zoom range are assured by Canon’s optical Image Stabilizer, which offers enhanced performance via a 4-stop advantage.

14.7 Megapixel resolution with RAW
A 14.7 Megapixel CCD sensor – the highest resolution of any PowerShot model – works in combination with Canon’s new DIGIC 4 processor, for uncompromising images that combine high detail with extremely low noise levels. Such outstanding detail allows printing in sizes of up to A2, or creative cropping in post-processing.

For the ultimate in post-processing control, the PowerShot G10 includes a RAW shooting mode – plus support for Canon Digital Photo Professional software, for integration into professional photographers’ workflows.

DIGIC 4 for exceptional images
Canon’s new DIGIC 4 image processor uses improved algorithms and calculation accuracy, allowing the PowerShot G10 to deliver two major advantages: ultra-fast operation, and rich, low-noise images with outstanding clarity and colour reproduction.

DIGIC 4 also powers several intelligent onboard features. Canon’s new i-Contrast feature increases the dynamic range in images to bring out previously unnoticed detail in dark areas, like shadows – without blowing out lighter areas.

Canon’s anti-blur solution combats blur caused by camera shake and subject motion using a range of technologies: optical Image Stabilizer, Motion Detection Technology and Auto ISO Shift, plus new Servo AF – which, when engaged, continually adjusts focus on a subject moving towards or away from the camera.

Designed for more
With a range-leading resolution of 461k dots, a large 3.0” PureColor LCD II allows easy framing and ultra-detailed review of every shot; this is complemented by improved colour rendition and an exceptionally wide viewing angle. For immediate, fingertip access to key settings, the PowerShot G10 includes a new dedicated Exposure Compensation dial and dual ISO/shooting mode dial.

Complete accessory system
A comprehensive accessory system now includes support for Canon’s Macro Ring Lite and Macro Twin Lite, which offer powerful new possibilities for close-up shots and other creative photography. New compatibility with the Remote Switch RS60-E3 allows easy shutter release when shooting with a tripod.

“Like no other compact camera, the PowerShot G10 delivers the power to excel,” commented Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “It will appeal not only to photo enthusiasts, but also to professionals seeking a powerful, compact addition to their kitbag.”

Pricing & Availability
The PowerShot G10 is available from October priced at £499.99 / €649.99 inc VAT

Features at a glance
14.7 Megapixel CCD sensor
5x wide-angle (28mm) optical zoom lens with optical Image Stabilizer
RAW image recording plus support for Canon Digital Photo Professional
DIGIC 4 for clear, sharp images, high-speed AF (including Servo AF) and fast response times
Targets all the main causes of blur with High ISO Auto, optical
Image Stabilizer, Motion Detection Technology and Auto ISO shift
Great people shots with improved Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB plus
Face Select & Track and FaceSelf-Timer
3.0” PureColor LCD II (461k dots resolution) with wide viewing angle and optical viewfinder
i-Contrast boosts brightness and retains detail in dark areas
Dedicated Exposure Compensation and ISO dials
26 shooting modes with manual control and custom settings
Accessories include tele-converter, Speedlite flashes and waterproof case
Smooth, 30fps VGA movies

Click on the following images to open a larger version in a new window.

Published: Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Reader Comments

1. I'd been hoping Canon would surprise everyone by dropping an APS-C sensor in to the G10.
   If they had, I reckon they'd have been laughing all the way to the bank.
   Still looks like a nice piece of kit, though.

   Antony Shepherd at 09:34am on Wednesday, September 17, 2008

2. No APS-C sensor - no G10 in my bag.

   Thomas at 10:00am on Wednesday, September 17, 2008

3. Another Gx(x) Canon that looks great, but is pixel-grazy (14.7Mp! Albeit the 1/1.7 sensor is fine by me) and thus probably overpriced, and the final deal-breaker is the proprietary battery (read: inconvenience replacing, no improvements expected during its lifetime and planned obsolescence).

   Amateur #60943221 at 10:20am on Wednesday, September 17, 2008

4. I went for an A650IS instead of the G9 because of the moving LCD, which is useful to me (I have other cameras that take in RAW format). Wish I hadn't bothered - poorly built, cheap feeling, heavy with batteries and white pixels on the CCD. Assume they're buying in the same 14.7mpixel CCD others have been using for a while. Haven't disliked a camera so much for a while and won't be moving up to this. It's tarnished Canon's name for me.

   David Wilson at 11:55am on Wednesday, September 17, 2008

5. amazing ...a two-storey top plate control dial , both at the same thickness
   finally , after two G-enerations , a working camera grip . thanks , RICOH !

   CARL HAMILTON at 03:55pm on Wednesday, September 17, 2008

6. yepeee! yet more megapix0rs!
   The camera body design is nice. Nice features, nice camera, nice usage... and crap image quality that ruins it all. When will Canon stop buying sony overpixeled sensors for their compact cameras, or at least their high end compats!

   noisy noise at 06:21pm on Wednesday, September 17, 2008

7. "extremely low noise levels"
   =) pfffff
   Why does Canon provide all their G10 samples only at ISO 80 then? =))

   noisy noise at 06:24pm on Wednesday, September 17, 2008

8. "priced at £499.99 / €649.99 / $500."
   
   Hey, it's $ 1,4327 per €, not the other way round.

   anon at 11:28pm on Wednesday, September 17, 2008

9. what, no HD Video? C'mon.

   onlooker at 01:50am on Thursday, September 18, 2008

10. How would you compare this to
    Panasonic DMC-LX3K 10.1MP?

    Name at 02:58am on Thursday, September 18, 2008

11. Does it only shot vga res video?
    Not 1024x768 like the g9.
    What is the resolution of the raw on the G10?

    Falk Photo Design at 03:13am on Thursday, September 18, 2008

12. Does anybody know if the LCD is polarized again? Hopefully not or it's a deal braker for me as I always wear polarized glasses when fly fishing and it is un-viewable unless I take them off. Thanks in advance!

    Vince at 04:02am on Thursday, September 18, 2008

13. Disappointing...

    Leica D-Lux 4 at 04:19am on Thursday, September 18, 2008

14. All LCDs are polarized; it's just which direction if it interferes with your glasses. It's also possible to put a quarter-wave plate (circular polarization) in front of a backlit screen so it isn't linearly polarized and thus doesn't black out.

    Dan at 05:16am on Thursday, September 18, 2008

15. no yet a HDMI connection ????

    polak at 06:38am on Thursday, September 18, 2008

16. I wonder if the viewfinder works?
    
    What a missed opportunity, APS-C, moving LCD. I'll stick with the G9

    Andrew Stagg at 06:39am on Thursday, September 18, 2008

17. Everything looks great, except for the video resolution being only VGA. It should be at least 720p to remain competitive.

    James at 07:52am on Thursday, September 18, 2008

18. 28mm is good !

    shin-ken at 01:06pm on Thursday, September 18, 2008

19. Gee, I looked at this thinking maybe it was a review site. Nope, just press release details, also available on Canon's site, and every tech blog in the world. How is this relevant?

    jim krank at 03:12pm on Thursday, September 18, 2008

20. "...priced at £499.99 / €649.99 / $500." Are they having a laugh? As a recent purchaser of the G9 I was worried I should have waited but £200 extra is ridiculous for not a lot extra. Also, are Canon aware of the current state of currencies? £250 in America, £500 here! Plus the Yanks get a proper manual, not a pdf. I find the whole thing a bit of a joke.

    Andy S at 06:42pm on Thursday, September 18, 2008

21. Don't need video. Don't need lots of other stuff complained missing in here. Simply need number 2. camera taking good enough pictures. Preferably with ease. Mainly on normal situations. This hasn't been demonstrated yet.

    mikrotero at 07:31pm on Thursday, September 18, 2008

22. This is kind of disappointing. Don't get me wrong, I love my G9, ridiculous megapixels and high ISO noise aside. If they're going to make it bigger, though, make the viewfinder work. They nerfed the video, too- no HD?

    Jared at 11:59pm on Saturday, September 20, 2008

23. hmmm, why is it that none of the big ones seems to get it.....a compact with decent viewfinder, aps-c sensor, 24mm-60mm f2.4 lens (or the likes), raw+jpeg, relatively fast working...that's all i want
    

    freddylee at 02:42pm on Saturday, October 04, 2008

24. oh yeah, and 12 megapxls would be plenty enough......

    freddylee at 02:45pm on Saturday, October 04, 2008

25. Seriously, I think the G series is the only thing that really handles like a DSLR (maybe the GX ricoh's too...) and that counts for a lot. I really like the big control dial however image quality should be first. The samples that users have been reporting are disappointing. I know that a pro could make a better picture, but a pro can't make the technical details better. The samples are pretty sharp (though not a sharp a those with a G9), but there's a lot of noise and not really any improvement over a G9. Sure a pro would have better composition and lighting, but they can't overcome the sensor. And while they probably could clean up the images better in post, I dont want to / cant spend that much time with each image. And then I'm also not a pro, but know how to use a camera like that.
    
    I think I'll get an LX3 for the statement it made too. (IQ seems to be a little better for those who haven't seen comparisons.)

    Michael at 12:51am on Monday, October 06, 2008

26. what is the maximum operating rate for the buffer when in continuous shooting mode? I want to optomize my memory card but I don't want to waste money on acard that is too fast for the camera's buffer. Should I spend the money for a SDHC extreme III @ 30mbps? Or an ultra II @ 15 mbps? I don't care how fast the card downloads when I pull it out of the camera and put it into a card reader. I do care that the card is fast enough to handle multiple shots and does not cause the camera to stop shooting because it is "busy" processing data.

    philip at 02:07am on Monday, October 06, 2008

27. G9 - good in daylight at 80iso, too noisy otherwise, waste of time viewfinder., but most importantly - Rubbish lens design that lets dust into the sensor (see http://www.flickr.com/photos/uncertainworld/2730884089/ ) - which doesn't appear to have been addressed with g10. No chance I'll be buying one of these.

    Martin Phelps at 10:14am on Wednesday, October 08, 2008

28. Wow - tough crowd here!

    Dan at 12:16am on Wednesday, October 15, 2008

29. Sounds like none of you actually get time to just enjoy shooting photos, with all these technical worries you have. The g9 is utterly superb for what it is, and if used when it is suitable to use, it is superb. It's also the best digital compact I have ever used, and I bet the g10 wouldn't disspoint me either. What a fab little camera for street photography, and the best companion a pro can have for his DSLR when that no time to think or fiddle photo opportunity occurs. I can see that one may have a wish list for any camera, but to be honest do any of the above complaints actually have that much to do with what photography is about - taking photos that are interesting and well composed. My g9 has earnt me plenty, warts and all. Anyway, i only popped in here to see what the g10 is about, clearly it's too early yet for reviews by someone that has actually used one, so i'll leave you to it. Cheers.

    Jeff at 08:12pm on Wednesday, October 15, 2008

30. I'm afraid it looks like another let down. I want a compact with a viewfinder to stand in for my DSLR. Nothing as good as my old 1970's rangefinders has arrived yet. What I want is that quality, or near as damn it in a simple package. Sigma DP1 maybe but it;s pricey.

    Steve Mac at 11:43am on Saturday, October 25, 2008

31. i still resent that in barely two years we've had 3 new G models. at 10 mp, my g7 already has too many pixels for the size of sensor, and doesn't shoot raw. instead of fixing the raw problem with a firmware upgrade they release a whole new model, with even MORE pixels? the g7 is already worthless above 200 iso. and the g10 has 14.7. absolutely crazy. i can't even imagine how bad the noise will be from this camera. and forsaking zoom for wide angle? does it have to be either/or?

    tvonholten at 03:47pm on Sunday, October 26, 2008

32. What is the best memory card for a canon G 10

    Michael Watson at 08:01pm on Monday, October 27, 2008

33. Michael, I use an 8GB Sandisk Ultra II for my G9 - holds about 475 pictures. on the 10 should hold around 350. More than fast enough for the camera.
    
    For those who are already trashing the camera, look at http://www.luminous-landscape.com and read the review of the G10 v Hasselblad + 39mp medium format back. Then go out and take some pictures!

    Andrew Stagg at 09:25am on Tuesday, October 28, 2008

34. Hey Andrew, this G9 review appears to be the same guy.
    http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/G9-Japan.shtml
    
    Gotta love it. It really is just a case of stop chewing the cudd, buy a camera, any camera, and go take some photos.

    jeff at 10:47am on Tuesday, October 28, 2008

35. Just to restore a bit of balance there is absolutely nothing to trash about this camera. It is solidly built, feels great in the hand and takes such good pictures at ISO 80/200 that I find it difficult to distinguish when the light is good from my 5D with L lenses! The lens appears to perform at its optimum at 4/5.6 giving surprisingly good depth of field. I enjoy this camera more every time I use it and set at 'positive film' I can leave my Bronica MF and Velvia at home! My only wish is for the ability to set sharpness and one or two other parameters which you can do with the DSLR.

    Robin Barker at 05:26pm on Tuesday, October 28, 2008

36. I bought the G10. Took identical pics
    with my current G9.
    Immediately returned G10 and obtained a full refund.
    @ ISO 100 the noise was intolerable...
    made my G9 the better performer by far.
    Maybe it was a faulty sensor in the G10....though I think not....
    With new cameras, "we" are the quality assurance department... it no longer happens in the factory....
    Good luck to all G10 purchasers!!

    LOUISE at 11:36am on Wednesday, October 29, 2008

37. Just been checking Canon G10 powershot. Any idea where I can buy one.
    Get in touch.

    Tubula at 03:29pm on Saturday, November 08, 2008

38. Just bought the last G9 display model at Best Buy, under $200.00. Too good of a deal to pass up.

    Rey at 01:58am on Monday, November 10, 2008

39. I have just bought a G10. There is no RAW setting. The option to selct JPEG + RAW as indicated on page 84 of the manual just does not exist. Are there different G10 models, or have I missed some other setting? Cheers

    Neil Hampton at 12:37am on Sunday, November 23, 2008

40. I have just bought a G10. There is no RAW setting. The option to selct JPEG + RAW as indicated on page 84 of the manual just does not exist. Are there different G10 models, or have I missed some other setting? Cheers

    Neil Hampton at 12:42am on Sunday, November 23, 2008

41. There is a Jped+Raw and a Raw setting. The firt is in the menus the latter is accessible by using the left hand button on the rear dial when you are taking a pic.

    Geefor at 07:17pm on Saturday, November 29, 2008

42. Neil is right. There is no raw setting on my G10, I just got today(Alberta, Canada if that helps). No raw setting under the menus or under the FUNC. SET button are not listed. I’ve also rest my camera to factory defaults and formatted my memory card. Still nothing.

    Mr. Green at 06:19am on Sunday, December 28, 2008