Canon G7 Raw format

[pixelated]

Just read the Canon G7 preview. If Canon should take heed and want to include RAW mode, is this possible as a firmware upgrade, or not possible due to hardware limitations designed into the camera (sensor) itself? Can firmware be updated in the G7 in the firstplace?

[Tim Gray]

I'm only guessing, but if the hardware, particularly memory capacity hasn't been optimized for RAW, I'd be really surpised if it could be added via firmware update - adding that option would require more major surgery in the os than I've ever seen in a firmware upgrade.  Give the life cycle of these products, if Canon ended up changing their minds about raw in a P&S you'd see it in the next product.

[geesbert]

if my memory serves me right, canon never introduced major new features with firmware updates, rather only fixed some bugs. canon is not ricoh!

[thomashoven]

A firmware upgrade should be technically possible, but politically impossible as Canon obviously has some political (or marketing) reason for not providing these cameras with RAW. Would I like to know the reason!!! Data has to be transferred from the image chip and then processed in the camera to the cusomer set preferences. We just want the camera to skip that processing and save the RAW data from the chip directly.

May be one day a manufacturer will manufacture a camera with "open source" firmware, so that anyone can program additional functions or rewrite the firmware.

As long as Canon stick to their present policy on RAW for compact digital cameras, I am not one of their customers. I will stick to my old Canon compact that has RAW. If the Canon G7 had RAW (and a descent underwater housing) I would rush out and buy one immediately.

To Canon: This is another customer demanding RAW back in Canon compacts.

Rgds,
Thomas

[Ronny Nilsen]

Just read the Canon G7 preview. If Canon should take heed and want to include RAW mode, is this possible as a firmware upgrade, or not possible due to hardware limitations designed into the camera (sensor) itself? Can firmware be updated in the G7 in the firstplace?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=83845\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

A  firmware upgrade could probably add RAW capability to the camera, but that is really not all Canon would have to do if they added RAW. They would also have to bundle SW for your computer that could use those RAW files, and that would also add to cost (and increased support cost of that sw).

I would have loved the G7 with RAW, but as other here have stated, if Canon desides to include RAW in the G-series agin it will have to be in the G8 or later. Maybe the G8 can be the poor mans M8.  

[ngophotographer]

Depending on the design, they may be able to.  I remember Nikon added RAW to a couple of their models (Coolpix 5000 & 5400) through firmware and then posted the SW on the web.  Both were released without RAW.

Depending on the work you're doing, RAW may be inconsequential.

I had the JPEG/RAW dilemma with the G7 for about 2 minutes before I bought one.  After rereading, this article on Rob Galbraith DPI: Alex Majoli points and shoots, I bought one.
(http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-6468-7844)

The above article is a constant reminder to me (kick in the pants) that it isn’t only about technology or features, but technique, craft and art are still key.  Technology is fun, but getting the shot is more rewarding.

Rich P
NGOphotographer & proud parent of a new G7

[Fred Ragland]

...I had the JPEG/RAW dilemma with the G7 for about 2 minutes before I bought one.  After rereading, this article on Rob Galbraith DPI: Alex Majoli points and shoots, I bought one.
(http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-6468-7844)

The above article is a constant reminder to me (kick in the pants) that it isn’t only about technology or features, but technique, craft and art are still key...  Technology is fun, but getting the shot is more rewarding.

Rich P
NGOphotographer & proud parent of a new G7
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Rich, I too am a proud G7 parent.  Thanks for the reference to Majoli's article.  You're the first NGO photographer that I've talked to or read about.  When I started looking around, I also found [a href=\"http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0309/volunteering_for_an_ngo.shtml]this article[/url].  I'm sure its a rewarding way to put photography to use.

Very best wishes.

[PEHowland]

I have created an online petition requesting Canon to implement a raw output mode in a future firmware update.  I will forward to them once there are sufficient signatures.

If you support the idea of a raw output mode in the G7, please take a couple of moments to sign the petition online here.

Many thanks!

Paul.

The text of the petition reads:

"We owners of the Canon Powershot G7 camera request Canon to include a raw output capability in the next release of the camera's firmware. As serious users of the camera, we find the lack of this capability in the camera to be a limitation in the following ways:

- No choice of colour space beyond the limited sRGB space
- No flexibility in noise reduction approach, so important on a 1/1.8" CCD sensor
- No lossless correction of white balance errors
- No custom curves for converting to jpeg
- No scope for correcting minor exposure errors after capture

In addition, as supporters of the Canon brand, we believe this to be in the interests of Canon as well, as the lack of this mode has been a consistent criticism in reviews by the photography media. Addition of this mode to the G7 would provide significant market differentiation of the G7 over competing models, such as the Nikon P5000. We believe that it would not impact on low-end DSLR sales, as any photographer interested in raw will be well aware of the many other advantages a DSLR offers over a compact camera."

[Goodlistener]

There's always a lot of interest in small size cameras that can shoot RAW but not too many choices out there. Other than the electronic viewfinder type cameras, the only truly pocket-sized camera that is widly available (and that I know about) is the Fuji S9000.