Used Canon Powershot G16 Digital Point and Shoot Camera

I purchased this for my wife, who wanted a quality camera to carry in her purse. It's too large for men's pockets, though cargo pants pockets might work. What does the camera have to offer? 1) a larger (1/1.7") chip that allows reasonably low noise shots to ISO800, about one stop better than standard (1/2.3") point and shoot cameras. 2) a better lens, pretty sharp in the corners at 28mm and 140mm at full opening. The lens is also fast enough to be diffraction limited throughout its range when shooting at 12 mega-pixels. 3) good ergonomics. Yes, size matters. Bigger cameras may be harder to carry, but they are easier to deal with when actually taking pictures. Two adjustment rings (front and back), customizable menus, and two control knobs give you fast access to everything important. 4) speed, as in camera response. No waiting for this camera for anything. It even comes close to 6 frames per second while maintaining continuous auto-focus. 5) the optical viewfinder actually works, though there is no shooting information presented. It's best used in full auto mode, because the camera is pretty good at picking the settings and focus points it needs. Good in bright sun, and when trying to extend battery life. 6) interesting "extra" modes. I'll mention three. There is star mode, which lets you shoot multiple Milky Way shots (on a tripod) and combines them in camera. I haven't tried that one, but I have tried HDR mode. This brackets your exposure and combines your images to capture a greater dynamic range. It works well. Several menu places over on the HDR wheel setting lies the blurred background setting, for those who like portraits with fuzzy backgrounds. If you limit the auto-ISO settings to a maximum of 800, and shoot in full automatic, a very high percentage of your shots will turn out well. By this I mean you will get a well exposed image that looks good even if you "pixel peep." The camera also goes as "manual" as you can want (the manual focus is nicely done), and process RAW images, if that's your cup of tea. This is a nicely executed camera.

With this camera at the highest resolution settings, I took some photos and videos that are stunningly-high quality. The camera is heavy and large compared to the typical point-and-shoot, but small enough that you can use without the included neck strap, so you don't look like a tourist. I like to take "stolen", natural photos of people while on vacation, carefully focusing and snapping the shot before they realize what I'm doing and tense up. This camera works great in low light conditions - up to a point, of course. If you want to take romantic photos or videos of your girlfriend or boyfriend on the beach (or erotic photos in the bedroom, for that matter), this is the perfect camera - except that if you're in the middle of something, it is not easy to keep a firm grasp on the camera while operating the buttons with one hand. Practice surreptitiously slipping your fingers into the wrist strap, holding the camera, and operating the top button with one hand. Set up videos to record with the highest frame rate and resolution possible (1920 x 1080, 60 fps), and make sure to have two large, high-speed memory cards. The resulting video files are absolutely gigantic (60 fps is probably overkill), but you will cherish the extreme level of detail. You can always make copies of the original videos, and then edit and shrink the copies down into much smaller H.264 MP4s (without fearing that you'll destroy your originals) using Avidemux, Machete, MKVToolNix, PowerDirector, or another video editor. I find the Canon digital camera controls and software are logically designed, but still require some time to remember where to change this or that setting. All Canon cameras seem to have the same controls and software, however, so if you already own another Canon, this one will feel right at home. This camera has a large screen on the back, and can accept lens attachments on the front. You can attach an external flash on top, or one of those remote control units that allow you to put the camera down or mount to a tripod and take shots from a distance without wobbling the camera. For me, the camera is perfect as is and doesn't need anything additional. Oh, and there is a WiFi feature in the G16 that I never figured out how to use, as it is needlessly complicated.

I should think the fact it was a replacement for its predecessor I was rather cruel to says it all?

As advertised, the camera is in 'as new'. Not put it through any good tests yet but it it looks good and I am thoroughly satisfied with my purchase. Too, the camera was very well packaged, I do thank the seller. Brian H

Purchased this camera from Amazon for 32099 with one day delivery in Order to have advantage of 30 day return in case of any defects. In the last 15 days of use, I couldn't find any. I also got full 2 year warranty from Canon India which is a comfort.That was after I registered the product. The best thing about this camera is the 28 to 140 mm focal range and Aperture availability of f1.8 to f2.8 which is simply not available in any other model or brand.Even with the lens zoomed to 140 mm, f2.8 aperture is available for use! which translates to blur free pictures at the long end of the lens,specially useful in late evenings.One couldn't buy a DSLR lens of these specifications anywhere for love or money! Lens performance is also excellent.Further,this lens retracts back in to body of camera when you switch off and metal / plastic (?) blades of its lens cover auto open and shut by themselves.Thus making this camera more pocketable. G16 comes with an optical viewfinder,which zooms in and out as you operate the lens with the zoom lever.Though it's not state of art, any OVF worth the name and which lets you frame your subject in any lighting condition,is according to me, worth its weight in gold. Numerous times I have felt frustration, attempting to use a state of the art, high end compact not having an OVF in bright sunny weather, holding it at arms length unable to see ANYTHING! at all. For example my RX100. This was the main reason why I decided on this camera. Others having superior OVF were extremely costly or not available.Canon has offered this camera at a reasonable price with features enthusiasts might only dream of. The wifi in this model works excellently without a hitch. Only you have to have canon camera connect and canon image gateway on your system. The first enables transfer of files to your device and the second ( only) enables transfer to web based like Facebook Twitter etc. Initially,Canon Image Gateway must be indicated as the preferred destination. Incidentally,I m very happy to report this. I have an RX100 m1 which is my first love,but one shortcoming is its lack of wifi. Just out of curiosity, I removed memory card from RX100 containing some images and inserted it into card slot of G16. The images were read without problem. I switched on wifi and instantly ( I have set camera to auto connect) camera began searching for network and connected and asked whether to send file. I pressed Send. And camera Transmitted 30 images shot on RX100 to my iPad VERY SMOOTHLY. This ability to transmit files shot on a different camera makes the Canon Powershot G16, very useful to me. Incidentally,Canon Image Gateway is used to upload existing images on system to canon servers and access your images there, it cannot be used to upload files to FB directly. For that,one has to login to CIG FROM BROWSER.After this process is completed, wifi works like a charm. Besides above mentioned features attractive to me,it has others which I have had no time to lookup. Two more, one being metal bodied and made in Japan makes this camera all the more attractive. Faultless,smooth performer. It has a slightly retro look.Coming from stables of canon in evolution process, It gives best user experience and satisfaction.I would add that it's the most complete camera which spells top quality as well. In canons G series cameras, I would rate this model as being higher to G1x m1 and m2 and also G7x, even though these are having larger sensors and more expensive. Lastly,To quote a favourite reviewer " it's built to last".

This is hands down the best camera I've ever owned. Small enough to fit in my purse. Takes great quality photos for a point and shoot. The fast lens means that I get great indoor shots without needing the use of a flash. Full manual controls. One of the last of the great Powershot series to have an optical viewfinder. Of course, today it's possible to get a camera with a much larger sensor. But in terms of features-to-size ratio, there's nothing like this out there.

Made in good quality, makes good pictures, nice choice of everyday camera in addition to my lovely but a bit bulky Canon 50D. Quick focus, a lot of settings available (and auto is really very good as well), video... And I got it by quite reasonable price, thanks to special offer from Amazon)) It does not have a touch screen, it is not as small and light as a cell phone, but if you need quality for a good price and feel OK about such kind of compact camera I really recommend it.