Canon PowerShot G16 First Impressions Review

The First impression: Hmmm this camera feels so familiar !

Dude, its a G15 + wifi ...

(Olmypus XZ-2 rocks ;) with eye-fi cards it even rocks the other rocks !)

Why would Canon continue with this line up when they the G1 X platform? Why not improve that one. This one (1/1.7" sensor) makes no sense. And what about the EOS M platform? Small sensor cameras are done. That sensor size has been conceded the smart phone industry! It would seem to me that the 1" sensor is a minimum for point and shot in this day and age. Comment?

In the comparisons between jpeg and raw, the raw images have obviously been tweaked but it appears that the jpeg images have not been. A much more meaningful comparison would be between tweaked jpeg and tweaked raw. While it's true that one can get more out of a raw image than a jpeg, jpeg's can most certainly be substantially improved with minimal tweaking.

Unfortunately, it appears the the G15's wi-fi does not do the one thing that many photographers would find far more useful than uploading images to the web: It doesn't let the user control the camera from a smartphone screen (with the help of a dedicated smartphone app). It seems to me that this is the killer feature made possible by the addition of wi-fi.

The starting price should stay the same as last year. I have no problem with Canon continuing on using a 1/1.7" sensor but the Sony RX line should be putting downward price pressure on cameras like the G16 and the P7800 as they represent the low end of the enthusiast compact market now. The G15 started at $500 but settled to $450 and has sold at that price for most of its lifespan. And that's the pricepoint I think the G16 should be sold at as well.

I remember when the Olympus XZ-2 came out last year, Olympus had the nerve to charge $600 for that camera to start out and I don't think that camera has sold very well as a result.

This looks like a very solid camera, but Canon needs to be a little more realistic with the MSRP.

Does it still have the worst viewfinder since the throwaway paper cameras of yesteryear? What I remember from the G12 and giving up on the series right then was a tiny plastic square with NO information inside, no focus ability, just a tunnel showing the other side of the camera that frames an approximate size of what the photo is going to be.

Now I see here and backwards one number (G15) absence of the articulating screen. Plus you're still dealing with a measly 5x zoom. Waste of an idea. At least Nikon and some others continue trying to make what photogs actually want.

What once looked like an attempt to offer a useful tool for pros (G6) now appears to be a psychology study in turning off all enthusiasm among the faithful. That way when ultimately curtailing production altogether, the CEO can tell shareholders that sales were too low. What he won't be telling anyone on that day is that money from customers walked away after investment and innovation were withdrawn by the company.

Sorry, Canon, I've just bought a Sony RX100 II to replace my aging G9.

If Canon ever upgrades the G1X it will kill the G15/16 and that is why we probably won't see a G1X upgrade . . . ever. The G16 has no 24mm, no articulating screen, no large sensor and no chance of being taken as seriously as this series once was taken.

Interesting that Nikon and Canon are going to battle it out to see who can make the best camera with a sensor that's too small. Although I didn't care for the Sony, assuming the G16 is the same price, I'd definitely take the Sony.

Please Canon, give us an updated G1X. The image quality is already there; it just needs the computer stuff.

It's just junk without an articulating screen. Shame on Canon.

I left Canon G12 & S95 and went for Sony RX100. I am not looking back until bigger sensor.
Still happy with my Canon 7D and are awaiting 7D Mark II.

Spent all this time since the launch of the RX100 series, which still has no competition. RX100 series continues to be years ahead of the competition. And I say unfortunately.

Small sensor compact cameras don't really have to carry a built in vf,vast number of external controls,etc,etc,i.e.being small.
Canon has the s series which have similar sized sensor and they are REALLY small.What's more in G series?..and that design?..for so long? Every single year the same and the same with minor adjustments (Canon's philosophy).
Discontinue G series,evolve Gx series!..If somebody needs i/1.7 size sensor he'll get the s120.
..Once Canon discontinues,Nikon will the P series (immense afterall!).

Give it a 1 inch sensor - EVF and it might become relevant again, oh and a touch-screen facility would be good too - Canon are market leaders in that department.

I see no reason for the camera to exist while the Sony RX100 is on the market.

I can think of no possible reason to choose it. This is a good thing - it will make Canon work harder and raise their product standards.

Its gotta be said, the reasons for getting a compact camera are getting fewer and fewer, so they have to be exceptional.

I question whether this camera merits review with so many other exciting products being introduced. Regardless, it is disappointing that cameras of this size and cost haven't migrated to at least the sensor size of the Nikon 1, RX100 cameras. Develop the GIX. This model was ready for retirement.

Good review!
I am thinking of buying this camera to my wife for christmas. I guess it is a good choice no matter what, and she can also use my Canon flashes if she need to.

Compromise, compromise. I replaced a beyond repair G11 with a Nikon 7700 and miss the optical viewfinder dearly. One feature from Canon, Sony and Nikon will get my money: External controls and optical viewfinder, articulating LCD and a large sensor. Is it really too much to ask???

A comparitive review of these two cameras would be interesting.

Since when do DP Review's reviews contain this disclaimer: "The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions held by dpreview.com or any affiliated companies. "?

I feel comparing this G16 with a Sony RX100M2 with the 20+MP sensor is a bit tricky. However, from the studio scene comparison in the RX100M2 review the G16 (as well as all the other cameras available in the comparison) seems to have sharper/better IQ in the corners than the Sony. For me, and don't shoot me for saying so, I'm not so convinced the Sony is the automatic choice others seem to think it is.

I'm looking forwards to seeing the Nikon P7800 with its 28-200 equivalent lens and the electronic viewfinder/movable viewfinder screen.

DPR wrote:
" Nikon has announced the Coolpix P7800, a camera intended fairly clearly as a 'G-series killer' "
IMHO there's already a Canon G AND Nikon P killer, called Sony RX100 MII ( even the RX100 does that ), by far.

This is a great travel camera when used outdoors or where you can keep the ISO's low. I have to agree with those who say that the price of admission is a bit too much when you consider what else is out there these days.

I think in a list of "Key Features" you should mention whether the screen is tiltable or not - it used to be signature feature of many G-PowerShots and was missed when a G model came without a vari-angle screen (which is essential for composing more varying images).

I think mentioning this feature (or the absence of it) is even more useful in this article here where the pictures close to the "Key Features" don't reveal the kind of monitor built into the G16 (aware that i can use the provided link to the press release).

Hopefully I am going to start traveling again next month. I have been looking at small cameras. But when I see the sensor of the rx100 II against this or the gs15. Right now I think I am going with the Sony?

These cameras are really nice but there are getting to be so many new small pocketable cameras with significantly larger sensors that I can't picture a serious enthusiast buying one in this category anymore. I'm in the market for a new small camera to have with me all the time instead of my bulky DSLRs, but am tilting to the 1" or APS-C sensor small cameras now available for not too much more $$.

The 1080p @ 60 FPS would be a great addition if it actually had anywhere near that resolvable resolution. When zoomed in the video looks fairly detailed. When zoomed out it looks more like 480p than 1080p.

Still a good camera though. Price is a bit high at launch but I am sure it will come down.

This looks like a nice camera, and it will probably be a perfect choice for some.

But personally I don't find any compelling reason to select one of these over it's rivals. The RX100 is smaller and has better IQ. The LX7 is smaller and cheaper. The EPM2 has much better IQ and you can swap lenses. The Nikon 1 is even a better choice, as far as I am concerned.

I just find it too big, too expensive, and too limited in what it can do. However, I feel the G1 X is a very compelling camera, due to the much larger sensor.

The Canon G series are still nice cameras, that seem to everything fairly wekll, but they are pretty much like your father's Oldsmobile. However, for many people this will still be the perfect camera.

High-end 1/1.7" sensor cameras may seem like a dated concept, but as long as people keep buying them, Canon and Nikon will keep making them.

No fully articulating display, no thanks .

I'll keep my RX100 thanks.

Love my G15, One of the Best Small Format cameras I've ever used. The G16 looks like a Great camera. I won't need to upgrade but am so pleased that Canon do what they do and hope they continue at the pace they do it. Thumbs Up!!!

Probably a score of 65 and a DPR GOLD Award.

The originals G1, G2 had a 3X lens.
That, with a larger sensor, say 2/3" or 1" would have made this a more compelling product.

The emergence of CSC has made tweener cameras like the Canon G16 and Nikon P7800 increasingly irrelevant.

Pity there is no remote control of the camera via wifi as with 70D and 6D.
Why does Canon cripple its lesser models like this?

I hope SX60 will be more exciting.

yawn, another 6 months, another irrelevant "professional" P&S...