What is the max ratio for the g10

[midnight_rider]

What is the max ratio for the g10? I see it can focus close but does anyone know how close to macro it can get? Thanks

[bobinatcat]

dp review>?

[midnight_rider]

did not see it on there. Hence the question.

[Piet]

If you mean the closest distance between lense and object in macro mode, the german manual says 1 cm. Convert it to any unit you want.

[midnight_rider]

If you mean the closest distance between lense and object in macro mode, the german manual says 1 cm. Convert it to any unit you want.

I have obviously misworded this so let me try again.
A true macro can obtain a 1:1 ratio. The g10 says it can focus as close as .4 inches (1cm) but what is the max magnification?

[GordonSBuck]

The G9/G10, and most cameras advertising 'macro' capabilities, don't really achieve macro in the classic sense of the word. You can approach macro with some accessories and techniques as shown here, http://lightdescription.blogspot.com/2008/03/g9-macro.html

[jesseli]

In my understanding, the macro of G9/G10 or other DC is different to the macro of SLR. It means it can take photos in very close distance. For SLR the ratio is the size of the image on the sensor/film vs the size of the object itself, thus a 1:1 ratio means an object of 1cm in size is also 1cm on the sensor/film. But for DCs, the sensor is very small and it is very hard (or even impossible?) to get a 1:1 ratio for them. And so in the manuals of DCs it always says how many cm(or mm) the closest shooting distance is but not the ratio.

[rpolitsr]

I am not an expert on this matter, but from what I have read and remember, jesseli wrote the correct definition for the magnification ratio.

We differ in one thing though: I think that the same definition applies to the small sensor cameras.

I agree with jesseli again when he says that a 1:1 magnification ratio is hard to achieve with the tiny sensor of the P&S cameras.

I have taken some measurement with my Pro1 and they are close to the specs data.

For the G10, I recollected the following data from the manual:
The image area at the minimum shooting distance is 32x23 mm.

The G10 sensor size is 1/1.7"
and from general sensor data tables on dpreview (http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Camera_System/sensor_sizes_01.htm) the sensor size is 7.6x5.7mm.

The approx. magnification ratio is 1:4 (7.6/32)

Not a big magnification in numerical terms, but due to the tiny size of the sensor the macro capabilities of the G10 are awesome.

Edit:
4:1 Changed to 1:4, see the post of Willie below

[Willie]

I am not an expert on this matter, but from what I have read and remember, jesseli wrote the correct definition for the magnification ratio.

We differ in one thing though: I think that the same definition applies to the small sensor cameras.

I agree with jesseli again when he says that a 1:1 magnification ratio is hard to achieve with the tiny sensor of the P&S cameras.

I have taken some measurement with my Pro1 and they are close to the specs data.

For the G10, I recollected the following data from the manual:
The image area at the minimum shooting distance is 32x23 mm.

The G10 sensor size is 1/1.7"
and from general sensor data tables on dpreview (http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Camera_System/sensor_sizes_01.htm) the sensor size is 7.6x5.7mm.

The approx. magnification ratio is 4:1 (32/7.6)

Not a big magnification in numerical terms, but due to the tiny size of the sensor the macro capabilities of the G10 are awesome.

I think you mean 1:4 ratio.

[Willie]

In my understanding, the macro of G9/G10 or other DC is different to the macro of SLR. It means it can take photos in very close distance. For SLR the ratio is the size of the image on the sensor/film vs the size of the object itself, thus a 1:1 ratio means an object of 1cm in size is also 1cm on the sensor/film. But for DCs, the sensor is very small and it is very hard (or even impossible?) to get a 1:1 ratio for them. And so in the manuals of DCs it always says how many cm(or mm) the closest shooting distance is but not the ratio.

The sensor size is irrelevant. SLR lenses also can say macro on them and not be 1:1. It is a term that is commonly used to describe a lens that can focus close. What that means is not clear, but with any camera, regardless of size, you can determine the magnification ratio by what you and rpolitsr mentioned. I don't think it is impoosible to have 1:1 on DC, after all, it's just smaller sensor with resulting smaller lens elements. It's just the matter of making it focus close enough to achieve the 1:1.

[rpolitsr]

I think you mean 1:4 ratio.

Yes, you are right. As I wrote, I’m not an expert. I just searched for LordV help and found the quote below. I was about to edit my post.

(It is edited now with your correction, thank you)

THe easiest thing to do is just take a pic of a mm scale ruler with the scale across the width of pic. Then the magnification ratio is sensor width (22.7mm for a 1.6 crop camera)/mm in picture. eg if Strok is right you will get about 41mm across the width in the pic.
Brian V.

[jesseli]

Rafeal and Willie, thanks for your further explanation.

In my understanding yes, it is possible to achieve 1:1 ratio in a DC but it might be too close to light the object. Lighting for macro is always a tough issue and thus we have those expensive Ring flash or twin-head flash.

[Willie]

Rafeal and Willie, thanks for your further explanation.

In my understanding yes, it is possible to achieve 1:1 ratio in a DC but it might be too close to light the object. Lighting for macro is always a tough issue and thus we have those expensive Ring flash or twin-head flash.

Agreed. You'd probably need some off-camera lighting.

I saw some macro shots with older G series cameras using additional lenses. I can't seem to find them now, but a search on the macro section here should have something. You should be able to add some sort of lens or diopter to the G10 to increase the magnification.

[GordonSBuck]

Agreed. You'd probably need some off-camera lighting.

I saw some macro shots with older G series cameras using additional lenses. I can't seem to find them now, but a search on the macro section here should have something. You should be able to add some sort of lens or diopter to the G10 to increase the magnification.

Here, http://lightdescription.blogspot.com/2008/03/g9-macro.html , with the G9.

[midnight_rider]

Thanks everyone for your explanations.
And thanks rpolitsr for the math end of it.
The term macro is very often tossed about as being able to focus closer than other lenses of the same focal length. For example my 24-70mm is a " macro" but it will never be able to get 1:1 without assistance.
1:4 is actually impressive on a P&S IMO. I just ordered it and I can not wait for it to get here.

[GordonSBuck]

Inspired, I posted quick comparative "macro" shots using various diopter add-on lenses. See http://lightdescription.blogspot.com/2009/04/1-2-4-10.html