Canon POWERSHOT G1 X BROCHURE

Story of the PowerShot G1 X Development

you can

The compact camera with the highest image quality

in Canon’s history that both customers and Canon’s development team have been waiting for.

SENSOR/DIGIC DESIGNER

General Manager, Digital Consumer Products Development Centre 1, Image Communication Products Operations

Yoshiro Udagawa

Udagawa has worked on image quality for the PowerShot Pro 70, the initial G and S series models, and others. Currently he is in charge of overall image quality in all compact digital camera products.

SENSOR/DIGIC

How was it decided to equip the camera with a large format sensor?

Up until now, Canon has sold the G series and S series cameras with the highest level of image quality in the industry. Amongst high-end users there is widespread acknowledgement that Canon means quality images. However, we also saw lots of comments from users wondering when a “dream compact camera” with the CMOS sensor found on Canon’s digital SLR cameras would come about. As a development team we wanted to respond and we were able to implement it in the development this time around.

This plan was actually being considered from the time of the PowerShot G12 development. We felt however that the technology was not of the quality that we would be happy to offer to our customers. As a result, we believe that although the G1 X is a long-awaited camera, it’s one that we can be proud of.

How was the sensor size decided?

In order to achieve a pixel size equivalent to a DSLR, a large type version of the APS-C size CMOS sensor used in the EOS 7D, 60D, and EOS 600D was produced. The 4:3 aspect ratio was decided upon, with consideration made for striking a balance between the camera size and the most suitable image quality performance.

This sensor was developed specifically for the G1 X, it was not simply a case of reusing an existing EOS sensor.

Performance areas such as sensitivity, S/N and dynamic range are of the same level as EOS, but as the size was reduced, the required specs were stricter than with an SLR. It was developed with a strong awareness of inheriting EOS technology, and priority on pixel size and sensitivity. Pixel size in particular was an important factor in planning the performance. The size was decided upon taking elements such as the body size, lens specs, and signal processing into account.

* Study of Canon compact digital cameras by Canon as of 30/11/2011

35mm full size

EOS-1DX

EOS 5D Mark II

APS-H size

EOS-1D Mark IV

APS-C size

EOS 60D / EOS 600D

Mirrorless

Competitor A

Mirrorless

Competitor B

It was developed with a strong awareness of inheriting EOS technology, and priority on pixel size and sensitivity.

36 x 24 mm

27.9 x 18.6 mm

22.3 x 14.9 mm

18.7 x 14.0 mm (4:3 aspect ratio)

17.3 x 13 mm

13.2 x 8.8 mm

7.6 x 5.7 mm

1/1.8 type

Signal

Noise

7.18 x 5.32 mm

1/1.7 type

G12 / S100

A specific amount

of light for a specific

amount of time

G12 sensor

Large type

G1 X sensor

Amount of light

4.5 times

Bucket opening area (light sensitive area)

4.5 times

Stored signal

4.5 times

G1 X sensor

Compared to the G12

SENSOR AREA: Approx. 6 times (Diagonal: approx. 2.5 times)

LIGHT SENSITIVE AREA PER PIXEL: Approx. 4.5 times

Results and merits of using a large type sensor

Shooting shallow depth of field with background blurring on a par with SLR cameras was difficult with existing compact cameras. Now it’s possible.

Background blur approx. 2.6 times greater than with a 1/1.7 type sensor can be expressed at the same focal length and f-numbers. We have already carried out surveys with professional photographers, which indicate that they experienced shallow depth of field previously thought impossible in a compact camera.

Another area of improvement is the high

Beautiful high sensitivity shooting at ISO12800 (Image)

sensitivity. As a result of enlarging the cell pitch, high sensitivity ISO 12800 can now be used without a problem. Shooting is now possible not just in dark locations, but in almost total darkness. It can also take advantage of the maximum 1/4000 sec. shutter speed, allowing successful shooting of sports in an indoor gymnasium. Essentially this camera has expanded the realm of what is possible, allowing the capture of scenes that you simply would have given up on before, from bright daylight to pitch darkness.

Background blur approaching that of SLR cameras*

* For comparison with Canon digital SLR cameras (equipped with standard kit lens: 18-55 mm)

Canon survey as of 30/11/2011

Outstanding image clarity

Does enlarging the sensor also improve the level of image clarity?

Regarding the resolution, MTF (modular transfer function) was improved by enlarging the sensor size. The range of tuning has also expanded as a result of the reduced noise. Emphasised edges have made output settings possible to bring out image clarity. In surveys carried out with professional photographers, their evaluation was that it was on par with SLR, and I would definitely like you to experience the unsurpassed noise reduction quality, in other words the “high level of image clarity”, and the “clarity due to low noise”.

* Study of Canon compact digital cameras by Canon as of 30/11/2011

I would like you to experience the “outstanding noise reduction performance sensitivity quality” as acknowledged by professionals.

SENSOR DESIGNER MANAGER

Digital Consumer Products Development Centre 1, Image Communication Products Operations

” and “outstanding low

Toshiro Yamaguchi

Yamaguchi has been involved in the sensor design of all Canon’s digital cameras. His recent endeavours include HS System, and other new features that improve image quality.

*Study of Canon compact digital cameras by Canon as of 30/11/2011

Is there an effect on image quality

DIGIC 5 uses approximately four times as much information

and diffraction phenomenon at small apertures?

The cell pitch was enlarged to 4 microns, and as the iris diameter can be larger, there is less chance of diffraction phenomenon influence at small apertures.

Not only photos with a shallow depth of field, but also photos with a small aperture can also be portrayed sharply with clarity. As a matter of fact, the smallest aperture on the G12 was f/8, however, it is possible to shoot with up to f/16 on the G1 X. From portrait photography utilising background blurring, to shooting landscapes that are sharp into the distance, you can enjoy free control of the depth of field.

f/5.8

as before to resolve one pixel.

f/16 (Image)

Aperture Priority Av

Large type sensor and DIGIC 5 performance ability

As the ultimate PowerShot, we wanted to achieve epoch-making image quality with ISO 12800 at any cost.

We believe that for what we call the HS System, two technologies are necessary, the sensor capability, and a high performance image processor to draw this out. DIGIC 5 uses approximately four times as much information as before to resolve one pixel. A six times faster processing speed achieves a significant acceleration of processing times. For the total performance of noise and image clarity, this has an effect of two stops at high ISOs compared to the G12, and three stops at lower ISOs. As the G1 X’s sensor is 14-bit, we can expect even higher quality images. Even at the same high ISOs, Canon’s colour reproduction is overwhelming. By fully drawing out the power of the large format sensor and high performance processor on the G1 X, colour information at high ISOs is consistently preserved, and even the details are sufficiently expressed, making it possible to portray beautiful photographs.

G1 X

Competitor

Does the aim of image processing differ from EOS?

From the point of image processing, Canon has shared ideas so they are basically the same, with a slight technical difference. As opposed to the natural image processing on DSLR cameras where the desire to retouch is high, for compact camera image processing, impressions straight from the camera are important, and therefore image processing is a little bit sharper. The G1 X can shoot RAW images at 14-bit, so it is possible to process the images however you like after shooting.

Beautiful background blur approaching SLR

. An all-in-one model that responds

to still image and movie shooting.

DIGIC DESIGNER MANAGER,

Digital Consumer Products Development Centre 1, Image Communication Products Operations

Kenji Takahashi

Takahashi has led the image design and image processing development for digital cameras and compact photo printers. His recent endeavours include Smart Auto, Smart Flash, and other new features that improve image quality.

*For comparison with Canon digital SLR cameras (equipped with standard kit lens: 18-55 mm) Canon survey as of 30/11/2011

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