The Canon PowerShot G16 (Amazon, $549.99) seems to be almost identical to its predecessor the G15. Except for minor differences in the button functions and model badge, the cameras look almost identical. Under the hood, a new image processing unit has been installed that improves quality of video and speeds up burst shots. Wi-Fi is also available.
The 12-megapixel G16 cannot compete with the Cyber-shot DSCX100 II ($598.00 Amazon) which packs a larger sensor and a smaller frame. It is our Editors Choice. This camera is able to fit a larger image sensor in a smaller package. The RX100 II can be quite costly, so the G16 is not a good budget choice. However, the G16 offers a long zoom lens with traditional controls and is a great option if you want to have a more conventional camera.
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Design and Features
It retains its chunky look from the predecessor, and so does the G16. The G16 measures 3x4.3x1.6inches and is 12.6 ounces. The G16 is slightly taller than the other models of its category, including those that have a hot-shoe like the Samsung EX2F (at Amazon). The G16 has an integrated optical viewfinder, and top-mounted exposure compensation dial.
Only a few other premium compacts retain the optical viewfinder. Canon's G1 X and Fujifilm X20 (at Amazon) are two examples. The G16's viewfinder continues to disappoint. The viewfinder has a tunnel vision feel, very poor framing and is almost useless at close ranges. Comparatively, the X20 viewfinder is a joy to use. It is bright and large, with basic settings. It doesn't offer through-the lens viewing like the G16, but you can switch to Live View if an object is at macro distances.
Both Nikon and Panasonic recently launched cameras in this same class that have electronic viewfinders. The Nikon P7800 and Panasonic LF1. The P7800 was available for me to test before its official announcement. I found the EVF very sharp and adequate for such a small camera. This design would have a better result than the standard optical finder Canon continues to use in its G series.
The Fujifilm X20's optical finder is the best compact camera. However, an EVF can be a great alternative if the user prefers through-the lens viewing. Olympus XZ-2 ($449.99 on Amazon), Panasonic LX7 ($350.00 on Amazon) and Sony RX100 II both support external hot-shoe mounted EVFs through an accessory port.
This 12-megapixel compact's image sensor has a 1-inch size. There are a few exceptions to this rule: the Sony RX100 ($448.00 on Amazon) and RX100II use 1-inch designs. These are approximately 2.7x larger than the G16's sensor. The Fuji X20($385.00 on Amazon), both of which have 2/3-inch designs. This only offers a 33% size advantage over the 1/1.7 inch class.
The 1/1.7 inch design may seem small to those cameras that have larger imagers, but the G16 and other compact models with similar sensor sizes boast 50 percent greater surface area than the standard compact cameras such as the Canon PowerShot Elph330HS ($349.95 at Amazon), which most commonly use sensors from the 1/2.3-inch category.
This size sesnsor allows you to have a robust zoom lens and wide aperture with an enclosure the same size as the G16. The lens is f/1.8 to 2.8 and has a focal length of 28-140mm, or 35mm equivalent. Sony RX100 II and RX100 II don't have as much zoom. The aperture at 28mm is an impressive f/1.8, but it shrinks to f/4.9 when you zoom in. This camera offers a significant advantage in low light performance and shallow depth-of-field at its broadest angle. However, both of these advantages diminish as you zoom.
Canon loaded the G16's physical controls to keep photographers demanding happy. The front wheel has a control knob, while the mode dial and exposure compensation dial are located on top. The rear controls have physical buttons that can control ISO, movie recording, activation of macro focusing and flash output. They also allow you to switch between manual or autofocus mode. This is a great feature. The only cameras of this type that offer it are the Pentax MX-1 (at Amazon), Fujifilm X20 and the Nikon P7800.
Fixed design, the rear display measures 3 inches and has a resolution of 922k dots. The display is sharp and clear. It doesn't tilt as much as the RX100 II's or Nikon P7800 displays. The overlay menu is available for shooting. It covers the small area on the bottom and left of the screen. The overlay menu is responsive and allows quick access to other shooting controls such as the drive mode and metering patterns, file format and white balance.
Wi-Fi has been integrated into Canon's latest releases. It's similar to the PowerShot S120 ($379.95 Amazon). To set up online services, you no longer need to connect the camera to your computer via USB. However, it is possible to link the G16 with that account using Wi-Fi. After that, you'll be able to post from your G16 directly to Facebook, YouTube and Flickr.
It is easier to transfer photos and videos from your smartphone to other devices. The Canon CameraWindow for Android or iOS makes it easy to do so. Simply connect your device to the same Wi Fi network or to an SSID broadcasting by G16. Wireless printing to compatible WiFi printers is possible.
Images can also be sent to other Canon cameras and transferred to your computer. Canon Wi-Fi has one of my favorite implementations, but not as good as Samsung. The EX2F lets you set up an online account from the camera and allows remote control using your tablet or phone.
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Performance and conclusions
The G16 starts and takes an in-focus image in just under 1.8 seconds, records a minimal 0.1-second shutter lag, and can capture JPG photos continuously at 10 frames per second. Shooting in Raw slows that figure to 1.9fps, and Raw+JPG is limited to 1.6fps. There's no limit to how many shots you can capture at any of those rates, assuming that you're using a fast memory card; I was able to hold down the shutter as long as I pleased with a SanDisk 95MBps card with no noticeable slowdown.
The Fujifilm X20 is a little bit faster to start and shoot at 1.3 seconds, and matches the 0.1-second shutter lag, but it can't compete in terms of burst capture. It does manage 9fps, but is limited to 8 Raw or Raw+JPG shots or 11 JPGs at that rate.
Imatestwas used to determine the sharpness and contrast of the G16 lens at the widest angles, midpoints, and extremes. If a photo can record 1,800 lines per picture height, it is acceptable. This was determined using the center-weighted analysis from our SFRPlus test charts. This is achieved by the G16, which scores 1,972 lines at 28mm and 2,080 lines for 60mm. It also scores 2,060 lines on 140mm.
The G16's edge performance is good. It scores 1,972 lines at 28mm, 2,080 lines at 60mm, and 2,060 lines at 140mm. However, edges look softer at wide angles (1,509 line), but are better at 60mm (1.645 line) and at 140mm (1.786 line). The performance of the lens is not affected by stopping it down beyond f/4. However, if the aperture is reduced to f/5.6 (or f/8) then you will notice an increase in image detail from diffraction. The G16's barrel distortion is not an issue. It's only noticeable at the widest setting. However, it will show 1% in fields. This distortion diminishes with zoom.
Sharpness was a little better for the Fujifilm X20's 28-112mm zoom. The lens scored 2,297 lines at 28mm and 2,558 lines 50mm. It also got 2,312 lines at 112. It also has better edge performance: 1,746 lines at 28, 50mm and 1,783 lines at 51mm. 1,855 lines are at 112mm. The distortion is a little more obvious at 28mm with 1.2 percent barrel distortion. However, it is not as noticeable when zoomed in.
Imatest can also check photos for noise. This causes blurred images and unwanted grain in low-light photography. Although the G16 maintains JPG noise below 1.5 percent at ISO 800, it is not the most impressive result. However, close inspection of images taken on an NEC MultiSync PA271W ($999.00 Amazon) shows that this camera uses a minimalist approach to noise reduction. It basically sacrifices some of its test stores to get more detail from the JPG output. The ISO 800 images are sharp and detail, while the noise reduction can begin to blur some lines at ISO 1600.
The smudging increases with ISO 3200 and ISO 6400. Raw shooting allows for you to retain detail. Grain is less obvious, however it can still be edited in the Raw converter. Sony RX100 II remains the best high-ISO performance camera in its class. Its 1-inch backside illuminated sensor helps keep noise at bay through ISO 12800. However, I suggest keeping ISO 3200 set for the best results.
G16 can record video in MP4 format at 1080p60 resolution. Sharp and precise footage with exact colors is recorded by the G16. As the scene changes, the camera quickly refocuses and you can hear the zooming sound in the background. Although there is no microphone input, the camera has a standard hotshoe, remote control port and mini USB ports. A battery charger and SDHC and SDXC standard memory cards are included.
Canon PowerShot G16 cameras are excellent. In many ways, it is an upgrade to the G15. Its wide-aperture lens and built-in Wi Fi, 10-fps burst photography, and 1080p60 recording impressed me. It gets a lower rating than the G15, which is because the market has become more competitive in this category. G16's viewfinder has a lot to do with the time; Fujifilm X20's optical seeper is far more useful than the G16, while the Nikon P7800 packs a powerful EVF in a size that's very similar to the G16.
The Sony RX100 II and RX100 II are good alternatives if you do not need an integrated viewfinder and have a limited budget. Although they don't have a large aperture for zooming, these cameras outperform Canons in image quality at higher ISOs and can capture greater detail due to their larger image sensors. The Samsung EX2F is a great deal for those who are on the opposite end of the spectrum. It was full-priced, but we were impressed by its quality and now it's available at a substantial discount.