Canon's new PowerShot G15 replaces the popular G12 and is the second G-series model released this year (although the G1X's large sensor puts it in a different class). We're not sure why Canon skipped the intervening numbers but the latest iteration maintains the same basic design and handling...

As the newest member of Canon's G Series cameras, the Canon G15 does not disappoint. It is an all around excellent point and shoot for anyone ranging from amateurs to seasoned professionals. The 12.1-megapixel sensor paired with the Digic 5 image processor makes for a great combination.

Great image quality; Professional level mode dial with lots of physical buttons; Fast f1.8-f2.8 lens; * button; Solid build

Below average viewfinder; Non-articulating screen will bother some; Some AF hunting in very low light

With the PowerShot G1 X already here, how does the G15 justify its existence?

Slim and well made body; Fast AF and start-up; Excellent video; Very good AWB performance

No parallax correction in viewfinder; Some image processing issues; Chromatic aberration; Price

Canon's PowerShot G series began in 2000 with the launch of the 3.3-million-pixel G1 and for years it was considered vastly superior to most of its competitors in terms of quality, engineering and specification.

The Canon PowerShot G15 is the latest model in Canon's iconic G-series, originally launched back in 2000. Over the years these chunky compacts have become synonymous with no-nonsense design, fast lenses, and the kinds of physical controls and shooting modes, including RAW options, that enthusiasts...

Bright f21.8-2.8 5x zoom lens; Compact and lightweight - pocketable; 1080p24 video; plus super slomo; Optical viewfinder

Small viewfinder no proximity sensor; Poor continuous shooting performance; Braketing limited to 3 frames; Lacks articulated screen of predecessor; No Wifi or GPS built-in

The enthusiast-focused Canon PowerShot G15 delivers excellent image quality, but lacks some features found in other top-end cameras.

Fast, sharp lens; Optical viewfinder; Good high ISO performance; Responsive; Excellent control layout; Raw shooting support

Pricey; Fixed rear LCD; Limited zoom range; Bulky; No GPS or Wi-Fi; 1080p video limited to 24fps

The enthusiast-focused Canon PowerShot G15 delivers excellent image quality, but lacks some features found in other top-end cameras.

Two years after releasing the very well-received G12, Canon is back with the PowerShot G15. And this update is a totally reworked camera, with a new 12-Megapixel CMOS sensor, a faster lens and a slightly more compact...

Build quality (quality materials; assembly; robust feel; etc.; Noise handled well up to 1600 ISO; Good handling; plenty of controls and easily accessible settings; Full HD video with a sharp picture and decent stereo sound

Some design features lost: no swivel screen; fewer controls; Lens isn't on par with competitors; Poor-quality optical viewfinder: small; inaccurate; uncomfortable; Video: 24 fps framerate isn't amazingly smooth

After quite a significant waiting period, the Canon G12 has finally been upgraded in the shape of the 12.1 million pixel Canon PowerShot G15, unveiled at Photokina 2012 . At first glance, the Canon G15 looks pretty similar to the Powershot G12, but there are a few significant differences.

Like a Canon EOS DSLR without a lens mount is a good way to think of the manufacturer's high-end PowerShot, the G15 . It sports a similar rock solid build – here aluminium – and control layout to an EOS camera, but is of course more compact.

Built-to-last aluminium construction; solid feature set; optical viewfinder; 5x optical zoom usable during capture of video and stills; manual top plate dials; pop-up flash

LCD screen is fixed; bulkier overall than all but Nikon's P7700; pricey given that a DSLR could be bought for even its lower street price around £440