Giving Canon Feedback?

[wingsley]

Here's an unusual question:

Where do you write if you want to give a camera manufacturer feedback?

I would especially like to give Canon feedback on its PowerShot "G" series line of digicams. I've been following Jeff's reviews of them (the G5 and G6) and would want to ask Canon to come out with a G7 that would address some issues Jeff raises along with some of my own:

1: a better image file-naming system, more like the date-based system used by Olympus

2: a "wide angle" version, using the same "wide zoom" approach as the Olympus C-7070WZ.

3: maybe shave a little more overall size and weight

4: an 8.0 MP image sensor, borrowed from the Digital Rebel XT?


So, does anyone know of an e-mail address, web-site or snail-mail address where one can make comments to Canon? I would acutally like to plug DCRP in my feedback.

[JTL]

I think this is the right address and phone numbers for Canon USA

Canon USA
One Canon Plaza
Lake Success, NY 11042

718-895-2511
516-488-6700
800-385-2155

I guess you would want to speak to their Consumer Marketing or equivalent department/division...

Good luck...but the G7, or whatever it's called, is probably already way down the production path...but let's hope there's still time for them to listen...

[wingsley]

Thanks. I really appreciate the quick response!

I've been looking at the "prosumer" fixed-lens market for some time now and waiting to get my hands on enough $$$ to replace my 2001-vintage Olympus C-3020Z with a much more "modern" prosumer digicam.

Both the G6 and the Oly C-7070WZ offer a split of the features I want. I wish someone would come up with a digicam which combined the two and addressed their weaknesses.

[JTL]

You would think that they would know this stuff...I mean if we can figure it out! :D

[TheObiJuan]

Here's an unusual question:

Where do you write if you want to give a camera manufacturer feedback?

I would especially like to give Canon feedback on its PowerShot "G" series line of digicams. I've been following Jeff's reviews of them (the G5 and G6) and would want to ask Canon to come out with a G7 that would address some issues Jeff raises along with some of my own:

1: a better image file-naming system, more like the date-based system used by Olympus

2: a "wide angle" version, using the same "wide zoom" approach as the Olympus C-7070WZ.

3: maybe shave a little more overall size and weight

4: an 8.0 MP image sensor, borrowed from the Digital Rebel XT?


So, does anyone know of an e-mail address, web-site or snail-mail address where one can make comments to Canon? I would acutally like to plug DCRP in my feedback.



Hahaha. :p
If you want to use the 350D sensor, then you will need to have a much larger lens. This will limit the range of the lens, or severly increase the weight of the body/lens combo.

Another thing about using the 350D chip is it will need a larger body to house the electronics to control the chip. This will also add to the size/weight.

[abhinav]

.... and also ask them to use AAs. :cool:

[wingsley]

.... and also ask them to use AAs. :cool:

That's an interesting thought. I was actually in favor of Canon using the same kind of proprietery power unit they had been using because I also own a Canon ZR40 MiniDV camcorder, which uses a similar unit as well. In addition, I own one of Canon's CA-560 cigarette lighter adaptor accessories. The CA-560 allows me to do a number of things, including...

(1: power the camcorder directly off a car's DC power

(2: recharge/top off the camcorder's battery while driving down the road, by putting one or more of the cells on a recharging dock included with the CA-560

(3: recharge the camcorder battery while it is still attached to the camcorder (gotta love this one!)

(4: power the camcorder in extremely remote locations by attaching it to the CA-560, then attaching the CA-560 to a sealed cell through a ciggie port (like a Prestone JumpIt! cell). This option would allow me to run a 'corder far past the time I would have enough tapes for it!

Using a CA-560 with a PowerShot G-series digicam theoretically gives me the ability to power/top-off both a Canon camcorder and the digicam at the same time, even in a remote location, so there's never a worry about running out of "juice". I know a guy who owns a PowerShot G5, and I recently inspected its cell. Looks like the above arrangement should work.

I want to thank Jeff Keller for his companion site, DV Spot, which I attribute to leading me to buying a ZR40 and indirectly to a CA-560 as well. In August of 2004, I used this little camcorder to shoot footage I used in a 30-second TV commercial for the local tourism office, which appeared on the Outdoor Channel. I also used the same setup this past winter/spring to put together a homemade DVD to promote and fund-raise for a local Winterfest which includes a series of sled dog races. I did all of this with my trusty ZR40 to gain experience on an Apple-based system running Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro, as well as Photoshop.

Over five years ago, all of this would've been unthinkable to me!

[polemistis]

Hahaha. :p
If you want to use the 350D sensor, then you will need to have a much larger lens. This will limit the range of the lens, or severly increase the weight of the body/lens combo.

Another thing about using the 350D chip is it will need a larger body to house the electronics to control the chip. This will also add to the size/weight.

Keep in mind that in most technology companies, a lot of their r & d is going towards improving their chips. More specifically to increase its power and capabilities while decreasing its size. Assuming that this concept is well into production, I would hope that time was spent on improving or creating a new chip.

[wingsley]

I personally think that if Canon put an 8.0 MP sensor in a PowerShot G7 (or PowerShot Pro II?) it would really be nice, but that's not at the top of my "wish list". Here's what I would like to see the most:

1: Improve the file-naming system, borrowing from Olympus' superior naming convention. Quoting Jeff Keller's review of the C-7070WZ:

<< Olympus uses one of the more sensible file numbering systems that I've seen. Files are named Pmdd####.jpg, where m is the month (1-9, A-C), d is the day, and #### is 0001-9999. This way your file numbers are always unique (well, at least a year). File numbering is maintained as you erase and switch memory cards. >>

This is very important to me. The rest of you may laugh, but my experience with a 2001-vintage C-3020Z may has spoiled me for life.

2: address Jeff Keller's "tele" criticism. Follow Olympus' "WZ" wide-zoom design philosophy by starting out the zoom progression from a much wider angle, like that of the C-7070WZ.

3: I would also like to see at least a marginally greater zoom power, although I do not wish to see a compromise on the size or weight of the camera. I would prefer the camera shave some size and/or weight from the previous PowerShot G6, but the status quo would be acceptable. Adding to the overall dminesions or heft of the camera would not be acceptable. A total zoom power of 4x to 5x would be nice. The rest of you probably want more.

4: Continue using batteries that would be compatible with Canon's CA-560 ciggie lighter adaptor. This is a really nice techology which I use with my ZR40 camcorder. I would love to see Canon make a broad application of compatibility with this technology. (see my earlier comments on this)

5: An 8.0 MP sensor would really be nice, but not the top priority.

Now everyone else can agree or disagree... :-)

[wingsley]

Here are some points Jeff Keller made in his review of the PowerShot G6:

Positives:

Excellent compact body design with nice grip and controls/displays arrangement
Low noise, low purple fringing, nice silky smooth images
Color is good
Excellent battery life
AF/shutter lag levels are low
full suite of manual controls
Excellent photo quality
Large, rotating LCD display
Full manual controls
Robust performance
AF-assist lamp
Supports conversion lenses of all types
Hot shoe for external flash
LCD info display
Can save favorite settings to two spots on mode dial
RAW image format supported
Nice software bundle


Negatives:

G6's lens starts at 35 mm, which is a little more "tele" than some would like
LCD to be too dark to use in low light conditions
Burst mode not great for taking pictures of moving subjects
Why no USB 2.0?
Needs a higher framer rate
Some jaggies, softness in details in photos
Some redeye
Doors over battery/memory card slot still a bit flimsy
No live histogram in record mode

[wingsley]

Here are similar points from the Digital Photography Review web-site:

Pros:

Good resolution (better in real life than res chart)
Punchy color, balanced tone (good shadow detail)
Low noise, very low noise reduction / none
About a stop more sensitive than indicated
Good macro performance
Improved lens, much lower fringing than G5
Excellent build quality, good ergonomics
Proper hand grip
Excellent battery life, almost best we've tested
Hinged plastic cover over connectors
Optional bayonet mount lens adapter
High quality lens, large max aperture (F2.0 - F3.0)
Bright 2.0" LCD with tilt & twist mechanism
External flash support via Hot-shoe
Supplied InfraRed remote control
Unique switchable ND filter

Cons:

Shallow angle jaggies affected resolution chart
Low continuous shooting speed with LCD on
USB 1.1 transfer (slow)
Heaviest seven megapixel tested
No live view histogram
Limited image parameter adjustment

Additional point:

Other digicams in this class (the Sony DSC-V3 and Olympus C-7000)are said to outperform the PowerShot G6 (especially in auto focus / shutter lag).

[ProblemSolver]

1: a better image file-naming system, more like the date-based system used by Olympus

Canon could do this and use the G7 as the "first in Powershot line" to have this new image naming system

2: a "wide angle" version, using the same "wide zoom" approach as the Olympus C-7070WZ.

I doubt this will happen to the G7 - The S80 will probably have this

3: maybe shave a little more overall size and weight

Size reduction is possible but this will mean a smaller and lower capacity battery, smaller LCD and less direct buttons (No need to scroll through menus). There will be no use cutting down the G7 in size anyway since it's not anywhere near pocketable. Overall weight can be reduced though.

I wouldn't want AA batteries as this time, maybe Canon will have a real-time accurate battery meter.

The S80 is pocketable and probably will be cut down in size. (And also may share some of the G7's specs)

4: an 8.0 MP image sensor, borrowed from the Digital Rebel XT?
No can do - The XT's sensor is way bigger. Plus, I think the Pro 2 will have this. There have been rumours that the Pro and G series will merge but I've got no confirmation.

If the rumour is false and the G7 has 8 megapixels, then it will probably be put on a 1/1.8" CCD. And the S80 and Ixus 800 may share this CCD as well.

[cmoore23]

I am hoping for

*improved video (as per the S2 IS)
*increased zoom - e.g. 8x or higher
*usb 2

if they run true to form then the G7 will arrive in late august.

[wingsley]

I am hoping for

*improved video (as per the S2 IS)
*increased zoom - e.g. 8x or higher
*usb 2

if they run true to form then the G7 will arrive in late august.

Do you actually use the video feature on digital still cameras? I used it once on my Olympus and hated it, but I admit that's probably out of date. Are there any cameras on the market that start wide and go clear to ultra zoom end of the spectrum? I don't think the Olympus C-7070WZ does that. USB 2 simply makes sense. If Canon can't/won't do this, then it is time to buy a new camera from someone else.

[cmoore23]

Mostly i do still photography, but I like video too. Of course a full blown video camera will give far better results, but hey the S2 IS is pretty impressive from a video perspective. So if the G7 could provide S2 quality video then it would give me acceptable video and fantastic pics meaning one camera rather than carrying a video camera round too.

I too would like to see AA's used also. Prop. batteries are fine until you find yourself out of juice. :eek: