Canon Powershot Golf

[Ca3l]

Just got an email that Canon is coming out with a rangefinder. Details here

 

Sounds pretty interesting for the price — 6-12x digital zoom, image stabilization, slope, ipx4 water resistance, even taking photos and videos (?) weird but kind of cool

[Ari]

Are there any reviews for this yet ?

[Golfcrzy]

These have been released – has anyone purchased one? I don’t want to be the group guinea pig…

[new2g0lf]

looks like a rangefinder / digital camera in 1 unit.  Not sure there's a big market for that but the price is low enough that the rangefinder features are good then I don't care if it can take pictures too.  

[holdem75]

The tech is interesting for sure!!

[RRDD]

Curious to see first reviews. Tech and price point looks very interesting. Like the fact it has image stabilisation, however the camera function is a bit of a gimmick in my view..

[2Down]

my old Nikon pro lasted a long time but issues were accumulating and I saw a need to replace it before it gave up.   new Nikon was 450 so I started looking about for alternatives. Saw Canon was also stabilized but 100 less and decided to try it.  

 

It came about a week ago.  it is cooler than I hoped.  small enough to pocket, quick to range ( it has to turn on so get used to pressing the button when you pick it up as it will be ready by the time you get it to your eye)  and I have taken several cool pics on the course already.  

 

all in all it is the best I have used to date. it very fast, like that it buzzes, stabilizer works, view finder is great, zoom works a trick, and I have come to trust the slope number. 

 

Letting folks try it and the first word when they look through it is WOW.    

 

only thing is its rechargeable so no battery change on course but im getting used to it and bring it in every few days to charge and download images.  

 

it takes a pic with a full press so almost every time a friend has tried it I have several pics they took.  pics with the laser set on show the numbers.   pics with laser off don't.  

pics need bit of work once you've downloaded them, fortunately I enjoy putzing about.  for movies the laser needs to be off I think.  also, you have to be about 30,40 yards from some one to video a swing for them.   

 

played blue mash the other day and we were finishing late so low light pic here of a deer.  

Edited August 30, 2024 by 2Down

[Golfcrzy]

Ordered mine to arrive Wednesday to test. Let’s see if it can give my Nikon a run for its money. I have a need, just don’t know if I need more than a commoditized version. 

[Golfcrzy]

First impressions: well made, feels great, screen is clear as day, buttons are solid but you better be able to half press and be comfortable with the layout as the record and Zoom and half presses are used for navigation. There is no power off button so I changed the auto power off time to be longer than the default. Five seconds. This is relevant with regards to storing a measurement. 
 

This screen blows the Z82 out of the water. Taking it out on course tomorrow to test. This thing is so small, but solid. Not cheap feeling at all. I keep a magnetic USB charger in my bag for my phone which has a port to charge other items, so I’m not worried about battery life yet. 
 

Feature(s) I love: you can scan forwards and backwards, not just in one direction (far to near with my Nikon), measurements are stored allowing you to move your head away and return to the rangefinder and you will see the prior measurement in the screen this is a huge win. Allegedly smart enough to distinguish overlapping Targets and provide priority to the nearer of the two, plus notification of the overlapping and of priority lock on (ex. Gunning a flag with trees behind should not be a problem to lock on the flag, and it will show you this is happening so you aren’t left to guess). 
 

Initial concern(s): don’t know how to get a magnet on this. Small enough to pocket but I don’t want to scratch the lenses. I have my Nikon in a magnet wrap. Just ordered a small one from Amazon to test. Low light performance is caveated out the wazoo in the documentation. I hope the ranging feature will not be impacted. 
 

Good to know: The focal length of the lens in 35mm equivalent is 410mm which can be doubled with the zoom button to 820mm. 1/3” CMOS sensor, 13.5MP images jpg only. Crop factor is 8.04. F/3.9 (f/32 equivalent dof). 
 

Here’s the manual, you’ll need it at least once to learn some shortcuts that are not intuitive: https://cam.start.canon/en/C019/

 

On course review: Just got back from round one. This thing is so frickin’ fast. It turns on fast, it acquires fast, it takes photos quickly. It provided the same exact numbers, including slope, as my Nikon AND Arccos gps app. After a few holes, I was comfortable. 

 

It is incredibly small and definitely can single hand it, pocket it, etc. I just received a tiny mag strap from Amazon I’ll try tomorrow. I keep a mag wrap on my Nikon and it is always on my cart. This was the smallest wrap I found and it is still too big. Might consider adhering neodymium magnets to the flat side. 
 

The image stabilization is very good, but because it has option of continuous autofocus, you must reset your focus as you move along. 
 

I couldn’t figure out scanning mode on the course because it kept locking on to nearest object priority. No problems at all lasering anything at all, but once it sees contrast, it starts locking on. 
 

2x zoom is nice. 
 

Not the best for use with glasses, particularly sun glasses. Unlike their cameras, you cannot change the brightness of the OLED, and all day long with my sunglasses I was trying to adapt. Also, glasses push you further away from the viewfinder, and you can’t see the full screen all the time. No glasses? No problem. Screen is gorgeous and everything is easy to see. Probably the clearest RF markings I’ve seen. 
 

Haven’t checked the photos off of the RF yet, but did browse them on the device and they looked fair. Cheap microsd card from Amazon works fine (not included). 
 

Battery wasn’t a problem at all. Charges with any usb-c. Not included is a lanyard, even though there is a distinct location for the lanyard (sold separately). 
 

I didn’t expect to be impressed by this, but I am. I didn’t want to spend $330 for a second rangefinder, but I’m close to keeping it after one round. 
 

Very nice and did I mention how tiny and fast it is? 

Edited September 12, 2024 by Golfcrzy

[elohops]

Thanks for the review! Sounds promising. How does the image stabilization compare to the Nikon?

[Golfcrzy]

18 hours ago, elohops said:

Thanks for the review! Sounds promising. How does the image stabilization compare to the Nikon?

Updated my review above.
 

The image stabilization works well. I don’t want to compare one to the other because the Nikon is an optical device and the Canon is a digital device. I think the Nikon you notice the smoother movements, and with the Canon the micro movements are more the focus of stabilization. 
 

No problem at all with either IS system. If anything, the Canon package is probably superior, but the optics of the Nikon are still better (because there are actual optical lenses). The OLED of the Canon is incredibly clear, but definitely not optical quality. 

[Golfcrzy]

Another great round with the Canon. Didn’t bother with the Nikon today. I’m completely confident in the numbers. 
 

This weekend I’ll put the photos on the computer or iPad. 
 

I would really consider this if you need something new. 
 

I used the small magnet strap and while the Canon never fell off the cart, the strap did slip around the unit. Too big. 

Edited September 13, 2024 by Golfcrzy

[Imp]

I was on pre-order for this for a long time and happy using it. Got it when it was 1st available. I won't go into all review details because Golfcrzy nailed every point I would make about it. That it takes decent (not best) pictures is also a huge win for me, and here's why...

 

I run a league every friday at a local course, where you can see many holes around you and since I got it in, people have been asking me "what are you doing?" as I point back at the tee boxes, other holes, etc... using the Canon. "Being nosy" , "Watching" etc... is my answer. Little do they know at the end of year tourney in a couple weeks, I will be playing the photos on the TV from my computer that I have been taking of them on greens, swings, tee boxes, waiting, discussions, hand gestures... all from the comfort of being far away and stealth. One person knows about it (and he kinda let the cat outta the bag last week - but should be still fun. 🙂

 

I have lightroom (Intermediate to advanced am photog), so have been working on a develop setting to clean up the chromatic aberrations that are prevalent more than I like and building a set/forget color profile. Hopefully being a canon, they have the availability to do a firmware update to fix in the future... 

 

What I absolutely love about it is that you're looking at an easy to read screen, and not through the lens and not having to fiddle with diopter as much. 

 

As far as using glasses, I never used glasses on any of my view finders in the 1st place. I didn't want to touch the glasses lenses with the diopter and run the risk of sand/dirt being on the brim and scratching them. 🙂 

 

You will not get a full pic of anyone if you're close up. This was made to take pictures far away... as the focal length and dof were clearly mentioned. At events/concerts, this little handheld thing may be just the ticket and they may be on to something... i can see add'l focal lengths coming in the future. Coser up would be nice...

Edited September 18, 2024 by Imp

[Golfcrzy]

I like the idea of your end of season use case!

 

I would just note that the manual cautions the user against taking photos while the laser is engaged, as the laser can cause harm to somebody’s eyes. 
 

Happy hunting! 

[Imp]

10 minutes ago, Golfcrzy said:

I like the idea of your end of season use case!

 

I would just note that the manual cautions the user against taking photos while the laser is engaged, as the laser can cause harm to somebody’s eyes. 
 

Happy hunting! 

Yep. I had to take laser training at work. I'd rather not have the data on the pics, anyways... (and also don't let them see that I was using slope.... )  😉

[Golfcrzy]

On 9/18/2024 at 8:46 AM, Imp said:

Yep. I had to take laser training at work. I'd rather not have the data on the pics, anyways... (and also don't let them see that I was using slope.... )  😉

Just as an update the Canon is glaringly obvious when Slope is on. 

[Imp]

3 hours ago, Golfcrzy said:

Just as an update the Canon is glaringly obvious when Slope is on. 

Just the opposite. 

 

The light blinks when slope is *off*. When not blinking, slope is active, it's not really obvious, because nothing is happening, and the light receptacle blends with the fascia.

Edited September 27, 2024 by Imp

[Golfcrzy]

9 hours ago, Imp said:

Just the opposite. 

 

The light blinks when slope is *off*. When not blinking, slope is active, it's not really obvious, because nothing is happening, and the light receptacle blends with the fascia.

It’s obvious because there is *no* light flashing. Perhaps I’m used to it already, as are my partners. 
 

Many different ways to indicate slope is on or off - don’t know of a universal method. I’m ok with this one. 

[golferdude54]

I don't own or have tried this rangefinder but the option to take pictures is actually really cool. A lot of PGA Tour yardage books today have pictures of a real life perspective of the tee shot on every par 4's and 5's with lines to specific targets with their yardages. This rangefinder could imitate that pretty well.

[Imp]

Some pics....

 

 

[bcjim]

30 minutes ago, Imp said:

Some pics....

 

 

Nice pics.  Guy in pic 2 appears to be 8 feet tall and I'm now hungry for chicken wings. 😂

[RRDD]

Just picked one up last week, it feels incredibly robust and compact. Quite impressed with the digital stabilisation, it locks the flag super quick and got very accurate distances. Super easy to use as well.

 

Comes at an attractive price point. I believe this Canon range finder will become popular in the future

 

 

[kwelifan]

Has anyone found a better case for this thing?  The rangefinder seems really well made but the case is disappointing for a $300 unit.  Regular aftermarket cases seem far too large for this thing.

[2Down]

canon marketing.  jumbo shrimp. words that don't really go together.

 

not that im looking but Ive never really seen any advertising and word of mouth doesn't seem to be working.  

 

I've had mine for awhile now and am very pleased, it is the smallest I've ever used or seen (easily pocketed) .  Really surprised canon isn't getting more airplay or locations where it can be seen.  I'm thinking this will be the only model produced.   oh well. 

 

getting used to rechargeable.  put a cable in th bag and most courses carts now have a usb port.