What is a G6?

[jimsolt]

I am a new owner of a G6 and so far I am pleased with it. However I am often confused when trying to figure out exactly what features my G6 has and what accessories I would like to get for it. I’ll use external flash as an example.
Page 180 of the G6 manual suggests one of the compatible units is the Speedlite 420EX. However when I look through the manual for that unit, they never mention the G6 or any other G series camera. All functions are described as being associated with a Type-A or Type-B camera or an EOS camera. According to this manual and any other literature I’ve found, the G series is not included in any of the above.
Yet Cannon insists the 420EX (or one of the other units in that series) is just the item for my camera. I would assume they know what they are talking about.
Is there a key to translating my G6 into other Canon series for this purpose? I’ve seen the same kind of references to other accessories and photo techniques.
Thanks. Sorry to ramble.

[Ikinaa]

I guess that when the 420EX came out (several years ago), even though the manual has been reedited, they never mention the G6 because it wasn't out yet (G6 has been in stores for 1 month now...)
But be assured, the G-series are compatible with the EX-flashes.
I have a G3 and the 380EX works fine...

[jimsolt]

Thanks for quick reply. This time I won't ramble.
I am sure the 420 and many products will work fine.
I think the G series has been around for a while, maybe as long as the flash units, but it still isn't mentioned in the types of cameras this and other accessories, techniques, etc., work with.
Let's not limit the question to a flash unit. It was meant as an example. What series is the G similar to ?
Thanks.

[Ikinaa]

The G-series exists for 3 or 4 years
began with G1, G2, G3, G5, G6 (no G4)
good cam, I believe one of the first 'P&S' that had all the manual stuff Av,Tv, M and the flash shoe
It was once the next best thing below SLR IMO, that's why I bought the G3 1,5 years ago.

[Jon]

Not sure what you mean "what series is the G similar to?'. As to flash compatibility, the G5 brochure says it's E-TTL compatible, which is the big feature of the EX-series of flashes. Feature-wise the G series doesn't really line up with any of Canon's other digital P&S models. Maybe the PowerShot Pro 1. That's the only other one with an external flash, but it doesn't have an optical finder. Or the A-series? Except they don't do RAW or have external flash connectors. I'd have to say the G-series is its own identity.

[MrChad]

Hey-hey, I guess I'll bring a dead thread back.

I have a 420EX that I love using on my Elan 7N film SLR. But, instead of getting a 300D, I'm thinking of getting a G6 for travel and such. I really like my film camera for sports and nature. If I was going to lug the 300D I'd likely lug the Elan instead. I have a film scanner anyhow.

Some times at family functions it can be very low in light.

Will the AF light assist on the 420EX work on the G6 as it does on the Elan 7N?
I assume I just leave the 420EX in full normal auto mode on the G6 since high speed sync likely isn't a function to be used on a Powershot G6.

I'm fairly certian I'm going to get the G6 since I have the 420EX and a Canon i860 printer. Plus I'd like to get a DSLR down the road once I get more lenses (want some L's) so I figure the G6 batteries and CF cards will be handy for that too. My other main choice at this point is the Nikon Coolpix 5400 but the Canon G6 really seams like the better unit to me.

My wife has a Fuji Finepix 2600z at this point and I actually like the range finder type eye sight over the EVF units. But I do like the swivel LCD for waste level shots, so the G6 really hits the spot for me I think. Especially for quick trips and candids.

But I'd like some more info on how it works with the Speedlites.