Image Quality Highs and Lows
Packing a maximum image resolution of 2048 by 1536, the G1 delivers images that so closely rival the competition that it’s impossible to pick a clear winner in the 3-megapixel class. The G1’s strengths include a very good metering system, excellent saturation and sharpness, and extraordinary low-light performance.
Additionally, while most cameras offer ISOs that start around 100, the G1 packs a very slow 50 ISO rating capable of producing images with very low noise. The G1 also includes the usual 100, 200, and 400 ISO speeds, but unfortunately once you hit 200 things start to turn very noisy. At 400 ISO, the camera’s images are unacceptably noisy when compared to those of the competition.
The G1 delivers excellent image quality with images with deep saturation vibrant colors. Click here to see the full-resolution image.
Low light photographers will get something of a boost from a noise reduction filter that kicks in during exposures longer than 1.3 seconds. Unfortunately, low-light photography is hampered by the lack of a Bulb mode and by a maximum exposure time of 8 seconds.
The G1’s ISO 50 speed allows it to shoot images with far less noise than its main competitors. Click here to see the full-resolution image.
The G1’s most exciting feature is its ability to store raw CCD data. The G1 captures images at 10-bits per pixel and then, like all single-CCD digital cameras, creates 24-bit values through a series of complex calculations, which take into account contrast, white balance, and other factors. In RAW mode, the G1 simply stores the original CCD information directly to the camera’s card. Because the RAW image actually takes less space than an uncompressed 24-bit file, RAW files are typically 2 to 3 megabytes in size. This makes the RAW format quite economical for images that must be captured at high-quality, at least when compared to the 8MB or 9MB size of a typicall 3-megapixel uncompressed TIFF image (referred to as “raw” format by some other manufacturers).
Canon’s RAW format also affords great flexibility in some respects. To work with a RAW file you must open it in Canon’s proprietary software or using Canon’s TWAIN-compatible Acquire module, so that Canon’s software can perfom the complex calculations that would normally be handled by the camera itself. The advantage is that you can change settings such as white balance, sharpening, and contrast before the raw image data is ever processed, rather than having to live with what the camera gives you. We hope more vendors will follow Canon’s lead and offer access to raw CCD data.
As great as RAW files are, Canon’s software was occasionally a bit flaky. We had numerous lock-ups and crashes when using the Acquire plug-in from within Photoshop 5.5 on a Macintosh, and on one or two occasions, had images that we simply couldn’t open. Hopefully, this is a simple software problem that can be corrected in the future.
On the image quality downside, the G1 has had problems with purple fringing — color artifacts that appear when shooting into bright light at wider angles.
As with Olympus cameras, the G1 tends to err on the side of saturated, prettier images rather than color-accurate images. This is not a complaint, mind you, but simply a statement of fact. If dead-on color accuracy is your bag, then this camera may not be for you.
Metering was very good, though the G1 tends to favor midtones and shadows over highlights, resulting in lots of blown-out skies when shooting landscapes. Though this can be frustrating, it usually ensures that the camera will preserve shadow detail. And, you can always work around the trouble with some diligent spot metering and exposure compensation (the G1 offers only matrix and spot metering modes).
Flash performance was about what we’ve come to expect from small, built-in flash units. The G1’s flash is far enough from its lens that it doesn’t have the terrible red-eye problems of the Coolpix 990, but Canon’s flash metering is sometimes a little overzealous, resulting in blown-out highlights. Fortunately, the G1 offers good flash-compensation controls, and is one of few 3-megapixel cameras to offer a built-in hotshoe for an external flash.
All in All
Overall, the G1 compares well to its 3-megapixel competitors when it comes to image quality. It does have its quirks and idiosyncrasies, however, and you’ll want to spend some time learning to understand how it responds to different lighting situations.
Its clever body design is the perfect answer for users who want the shooting flexibility of the Coolpix but don’t like Nikon’s weird split-body form-factor. In our head-to-head tests, the G1 definitely had troubles with some images that the Coolpix handled with ease. Interestingly, however, the Coolpix faltered on many images that the G1 tackled with no problem. Consequently, no clear image-quality winner emerged.
However, if low-noise images are your primary concern, then the G1’s ISO 50 might be just the answer. Similarly, if you insist on shooting uncompressed images, then Canon’s RAW mode is a definite boon, particularly when coupled with the G1’s support for large-format Type II CompactFlash cards.
Whatever your shooting needs, the G1 will most likely serve them very well.
This article was last modified on January 18, 2023
This article was first published on December 6, 2000
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