Finally, the unashamedly retro PowerShot G9 takes its design cue from classic rangefinder cameras. They've even based the shutter sounds on those of the original Canon cameras. There's nothing retro about the 76mm (3-inch) high-resolution LCD screen, optical image stabiliser lens or the 12.1 megapixels under the hood. The fast f/2.8(W)-f/4.8(T) lens has a 35mm equivalent focal length of 35-210mm.
The G9 provides handy external controls that include a dedicated ISO dial, a multi-control dial and a customisable shortcut button with two custom settings. A specialised lens coating borrowed from Canon's professional XL camcorder range reduces flare, ghosting and purple fringing, and there's a hot-shoe up top for Canon Speedlite flashes and optional lens accessories. You can also capture raw footage.
You'll find 25 shooting modes, safety MF mode (wasn't that a Prince song...?) to aid manual focusing, and safety FE to reduce the risk of blown highlights. If that isn't safe enough for you, the mega megapixel count enables the safety zoom function to kick in digital zoom without interpolation. Canon claims images can be captured at up to 15x zoom with enough resolution for lab-quality postcard (100x150mm) prints.
The G9 is yours to have and hold from September for £429. -Rich Trenholm
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