Canon's PowerShot G7

Announced just before Photokina 2006 in September 2006, the G7 came as something of a surprise to many who had written off the G series of high end PowerShots when the G6 (launched 2004) wasn't updated last year. The G series has a long and distinguished history at the top of Canon's PowerShot range, offering SLR-like functionality in a solid, compact body and high-end features such as fast lenses and external flash capabilities. The G7 continues the tradition, adding all Canon's latest gizmos (including the new Digic III processor, face detection and image stabilization), though since its announcement there has been heated discussion about some of Canon's decisions - particularly the loss of raw mode and the slower lens. So let's find out if the new model is a worthy successor to the G6, or if Canon really has - as some users feel - squandered the legacy of one of the most acclaimed cameras in the short history of digital photography. We'll start, as ever, by looking at the headline features:
Headline features

* 10.0 Megapixels
* 6x optical zoom lens with optical Image Stabilizer and SR coating
* DIGIC III and iSAPS with Advanced Noise Reduction and Face Detection AF/AE
* 2.5” high-resolution LCD with wide viewing angle and anti-glare coating
* ISO 1600 for flash-free, low light shooting
* Ergonomic design with dedicated ISO and Multi Control dials for fast, easy operation
* 25 shooting modes including full manual control and 2 custom settings
* Extra telephoto reach with Digital Tele-Converter and Safety Zoom
* Hot shoe support for Canon Speedlite flashes and optional lens accessories

Powershot G7 vs G6: What's changed?

Two years is a very long time in the digital camera world, and it comes as no surprise that the G7 is a significantly different beast to the model it replaces both externally (there's no grip, making the body a lot slimmer) and internally. What is slightly surprising is how many of the changes are 'steps down' rather than 'steps up'; some of the key qualities and features that made the G series so different from Canon's other compact camera ranges have been removed or 'downgraded'. Of course there are some areas where the specification has been 'beefed up' over the G6, but not all these changes will be welcome to potential upgraders.

* Higher resolution (10MP vs 7MP)
* Digic III processor
* Longer, but slower zoom lens
* Image stabilization
* Larger, higher resolution screen (fixed: no longer vari-angle)
* Loss of Raw mode
* Face detection mode
* Lighter, smaller (no hand grip), no LCD info/status panel
* Reduced battery life
* Wider ISO range (to ISO 1600 at full resolution)
* New ISO dial on body
* Better macro mode
* Enhanced movie mode
* Additional scene modes