Canon PowerShot G15 review

Videos are recorded at 1080p and 24fps in AVC format, and the unusually high 33Mbit/s bit rate keeps compression artefacts to a minimum. Autofocus was smooth and details were as sharp as we’ve ever seen from a compact camera’s video mode. They were significantly sharper than anything we’ve seen from Canon’s SLRs, too. The shadows fizzed with noise in low-light clips, but it wasn’t too intrusive, and other parts of the frame remained detailed and well exposed.

Easy access to white balance and exposure compensation controls helped us to take this shot quickly, and the wide aperture captured lots of light to keep noise to a minimum – click to enlarge

Considering the impressive video quality, it’s disappointing that priority and manual exposure modes are only available for photos and not for videos, and also that the frame rate can’t be changed. At least the AE Lock button and AE compensation dial worked for videos. The soundtrack was fairly noisy, giving a dynamic range of just 32dB, but in most situations this was drowned out by environmental ambient noise. Overall, this is a high quality video camera, but the LX7 is better suited to creative use.

Details are sharp into the corners of frames, but fine textures in the grass and smaller branches aren’t as crisp as we’d expect from a CSC – click to enlarge

Our photo tests gave much less cause for concern. Canon cameras rarely falter when it comes to automatic exposures and colour processing, and with the help of the relatively large sensor and bright lens, it delivered excellent results throughout our tests. However, while brightly lit shots were a cut above cheaper compact cameras’ output, they didn’t quite have the clarity in fine textures as CSCs and SLRs that use significantly larger sensors. Image quality in low light was undoubtedly excellent, but details were a little soft as the ISO speed went up. The LX7 and X10 were even better in low light, most likely due to the LX7’s even brighter lens and the X10’s slightly bigger sensor. The G15 also trailed slightly for dynamic range in our studio shot, with blown out highlights that the other two cameras managed to capture successfully.

The bright lens and large sensor show their worth when shooting outdoors in overcast weather, but once again the results can’t match what a CSC at this price could deliver – click to enlarge

The G15 takes superb photos and is a pleasure to use, but comparisons with the LX7 and X10 don’t lie in its favour. It’s also around £200 more expensive. For this kind of money you could get a Canon G1 X or an upmarket CSC such as the Panasonic GX1, both of which are only a little bigger than the G15 and raise the stakes again for photo quality.

As and when the G15’s price comes down, we’d still choose the LX7 for its superior image quality in low light, more capable video mode and faster performance.