Canon PowerShot G15 Review | 108 Data compared

The Canon PowerShot G15 is an advanced compact camera geared toward demanding photographers who want a portable secondary camera that handles like a mini-DSLR. Released around 490 Euro, the device is heavily praised for its exceptionally fast and bright f/1.8–2.8 5x optical zoom lens (28-140mm equivalent) and a rock-solid, premium metal body that features an integrated optical viewfinder and dedicated physical dials. Image quality from the 12.1-megapixel 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor is excellent in daylight, producing accurate colors and providing highly useful RAW support for shadow recovery. Furthermore, its upgraded continuous shooting up to 10fps, stellar 1cm close-up macro performance, and smooth 1080p Full HD video recording with active zooming and robust image stabilization make it a highly capable all-rounder. However, the camera has notable limitations, most notably Canon’s controversial decision to remove the articulating swivel screen found on its predecessor, opting instead for a fixed 3-inch LCD to make the body slightly slimmer. Despite this visual reduction, the body is still a bit too chunky and heavy to easily slide into a standard pocket. Critics also point out that while...

The digitalkamera.de review characterizes the Canon PowerShot G15 as a robust, high-performance compact for enthusiasts, highlighting its exceptionally fast 28-140mm f/1.8-2.8 lens and excellent image quality across ISO 1600. Pros include superior low-light performance, reliable noise suppression, and a durable body with extensive manual controls. Conversely, key cons include the replacement of the previous model's articulated screen with a fixed LCD, reducing shooting versatility. Other drawbacks are the lack of built-in Wi-Fi, restricted long-exposure options for night photography, and a design that is slightly too large for pocket portability.

The COMPUTER BILD review praises the Canon PowerShot G15 as a solid, high-quality premium compact camera that serves as an excellent portable alternative to a heavy DSLR. Weighing 350 grams, it features a robust body with intuitive physical dials, providing a premium feel and comfortable manual handling. The standout feature is its fast 5x zoom lens (28-140mm equivalent) with a wide f/1.8 starting aperture, which is three to four times brighter than standard compact cameras. Combined with a relatively large 12-megapixel CMOS sensor that maximizes light collection per pixel, the camera delivers impressive image quality, minimal image noise, and excellent performance in low-light and flash photography. It also includes an integrated optical viewfinder, full manual controls, and Full HD video capabilities. However, the review highlights several notable limitations that prevent the G15 from matching true DSLR speeds or modern flexibility. On the downside, the camera is restricted by a relatively narrow 5x zoom range and features a completely fixed, unmovable screen—a step back from competitor models like the Nikon Coolpix P7700 which offer articulated displays. Its continuous burst shooting is...

The Canon PowerShot G15 is a highly capable compact camera that stands out for its solid, robust craftsmanship, weighing approximately 350 grams and featuring a practical, ergonomic design with an anti-slip thumb grip for secure one-handed shooting. It features an intuitive, user-friendly menu system coupled with dedicated physical controls for rapid adjustments to focus, ISO, and exposure settings. Equipped with a 1/1.7-inch 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, a four-stop image stabiliser, and an f/1.8–2.8 bright lens, the camera delivers sharp images with low distortion and excellent edge sharpness. It shoots up to 10 continuous frames per second, records Full-HD video with continuous autofocus, and earns a strong recommendation for its overall image quality. Key strengths of the G15 include its exceptional build quality, high image fidelity, and an integrated real-image optical zoom viewfinder, which serves as a valuable tool under tricky lighting conditions. It also impresses with outstanding noise management that keeps larger surface areas looking natural even at higher sensitivities like ISO 1600. On the downside, the review highlights a relatively weak wide-angle performance, noting that the minimum focal length of...

The Canon PowerShot G15 is a high-quality compact camera that improves upon its predecessor, the G12, by adopting a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor and a significantly brighter 5x zoom lens (f/1.8–2.8, 28–140mm equivalent). The combination of the CMOS sensor and the DIGIC 5 processor delivers excellent image quality with minimal noise at low ISO settings, keeping images exceptionally clean up to ISO 800 and remaining highly usable even at ISO 1,600. The lens produces good sharpness across the frame with minimal chromatic aberration, and the camera boasts snappy performance with a fast 0.15-second autofocus and a 1.48-second startup time. Additionally, it features an effective Intelligent image stabilizer, robust build quality with four control dials for advanced manual operation, a built-in 3-stop ND filter, and very good Full HD video quality at 1080p. However, the camera comes with several notable drawbacks, particularly its underwhelming burst shooting speed, which reaches only 1.9 frames per second (fps) in JPEG and a sluggish 1.0 fps in RAW. Unlike the G12, the G15 features a fixed 3-inch display that can no longer be tilted or swiveled,...

The Canon PowerShot G15 is a high-end compact digital camera featuring a 12-megapixel, 1/1/7-inch CMOS sensor and a fast 5x zoom lens (28-140mm equivalent) with a maximum aperture of f/1.8–2.8. Upgraded significantly from its predecessor (the G12), it secured the number two spot in CHIP's rankings due to a massive leap in performance and overall image quality. The camera offers excellent edge-to-edge sharpness, minimal image noise—allowing clean DIN A3 prints even at ISO 1,600—and a highly effective correction of wide-angle distortion. It is equipped with a sharp 3.0-inch display boasting 922,000 pixels, supports professional RAW format shooting, records Full-HD video with continuous autofocus and optical zooming, and achieves fast focusing times of just 0.33 seconds in wide-angle mode. Pros & Cons Pros: Exceptional image quality, low noise at higher ISO settings, a very fast and bright lens, professional RAW support, precise manual controls, and a high-resolution 3.0-inch display. Cons: A relatively small optical viewfinder and a bulkier overall body profile.

The Canon PowerShot G15 is a robust, compact, and highly capable point-and-shoot camera well-suited for both beginners and experienced photographers looking for a portable backup. In everyday practice, it operates as an effortless "point-and-shoot" device in full automatic mode, which automatically handles macro adjustments and leaves the user with only the choice of whether or not to pop up the built-in flash. Its image quality is exceptionally high for a compact camera, maintaining sharp contrast even at wide apertures, and providing impressive, low-noise results up to ISO 1600. The camera benefits immensely from an incredibly bright lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 to f/2.8 across its 28-140mm equivalent focal range, allowing for faster shutter speeds and creative background blur (bokeh). Additionally, it features a fast autofocus system, clear Full-HD video recording with crisp stereo audio, an ergonomic and highly textured "sandpaper-like" grip, and a useful built-in image stabilizer. Despite these strong features, the review highlights several specific limitations, most notably the camera's complete lack of long-exposure capability for astrophotography or capturing northern lights. When exposure times exceed 1.4 seconds,...

The dkamera.de review of the Canon PowerShot G15 highlights the 12.0-megapixel 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 processor for delivering above-average image quality, supported by a fast f/1.8–2.8 5x zoom lens. Key pros include the bright lens, excellent low-light performance, and extensive manual controls that cater to enthusiast photographers, while the compact, sturdy body allows for comfortable handling. Conversely, the review notes the lack of an articulated screen—a downgrade from the G12—and a slightly bulky design compared to modern alternatives. Additionally, video recording is limited to 1080p at 24 frames per second, and the 28mm wide-angle, while versatile, is not as wide as some competitors. The review deems it a very good, fast-performing camera, despite these limitations.

Canon PowerShot G15 Review Summary The Canon PowerShot G15 is a high-performing compact camera celebrated for its exceptionally fast image processor, outstanding image quality, and natural colour reproduction. The pros of this camera include its ability to deliver sharp details, balanced skin tones, and fine contrast transitions. Additionally, its highly effective built-in image stabiliser allows for successful handheld shooting at night without a tripod, and its multi-segment metering engine reliably handles harsh backlight. For macro photography, the camera shines by letting users shoot at an impressive minimum distance of just two centimetres. The layout is also practical, featuring creative filter options like "Color Accentuation" alongside a densely packed but accessible array of physical controls like the mode dial, zoom lever, and exposure compensation wheel. On the downside, the cons focus heavily on physical limitations regarding depth of field and ergonomics. Achieving a soft, blurred background for portraits is highly restrictive; photographers must either stand very close to the subject or maintain a large distance while opening the aperture fully on a telephoto focal length. Furthermore, while the physical buttons offer...