Another thing I missed from the photography world is the release of the Canon G7.
The spec sheet is very impressive for a compact camera:
- 10 megapixel 1/2″ sensor
- 6x zoom (though a slow f/4.8 at max zoom)
- Image stabilization
- ISO 1600 with a super-high ISO 3200 scene mode
- hot shoe for external flash
- $550 retail
Not on the spec-sheet, but appreciated nonetheless are a nice control layout and an optical viewfinder.
From the its non-budget-but-very-reasonable price, its complex control layout, it’s overpowering spec sheet, and it’s not-exactly-svelte-like size, you’d think this camera would be ideal as a second camera for enthusiasts. But no, because the dang major thing missing is RAW file support. Which many people speculated was to protect entry level dSLR sales.
Now I read today that this is because the high photosite density makes the superfine JPEG indistinguishable from the RAW shot:
Smaller pixels means it’s harder to distinguish the signal from the incoming light from the random electronic noise in the sensor, said Chuck Westfall, Canon’s director of media and customer relations.
“The net result is that even if the G7 offered raw image capture…there would be no discernible improvement in image quality compared to…superfine JPEG mode,” Westfall said.
What a load of bullshit.
[An explanation why, after the jump.]
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