This test was done using the Lensmate Quick-Change system, you may also use the Lensmate Part A, the base, with Part C, the macro/tele section, with similar results. The most noticeable difference was seen with the smaller diopters like the MSN 202 and 505 - the Quick-Change system shows no vignetting at maximum focal length and has a slight edge in image quality. There were also differences in working distances with some diopters.

The purpose of this test is to compare the built in macro mode of the Canon G12/G11/G10 with some of the more common macro lenses/filters available. Included are the Canon 250D, the Hoya +7 Macro set (+1, +2, +4, and +7), the Raynox DCR-250, the Hoya +10, and the Raynox MSN 202 and 505.

The focal range for the G12/G11/G10 is 6.1mm to 30.5mm, or in 35mm terms, 28mm - 140mm. Focal lengths given in the EXIF information are actual. To convert to 35mm film equivalent, multiply by 4.59. Basic camera settings are ISO100, Large/Fine JPEG, Custom white balance and the IS turned off (because the camera was mounted). We used an aperture of f6.3 to maximize depth of field, which can be paper thin with the more powerful diopters like the MSN-202.

"Distance to subject", or "working distance" means distance between the actual macro lens and subject. In this test, we give working distance range, which is the range between nearest possible working distance and most distant.

You can view a full size quarter crop (bottom left corner) which shows the corner, edges, and center of the image.

Except for the first sample showing the built in macro mode at full wide, each macro lens is shown at 14mm (about 64mm) and full telephoto – 30.5mm (140mm). The first setting is halfway into the macro range, or 5 zoom steps. This allows adequate working distance for light to reach the subject, and is also almost distortion free compared to the full wide setting. Though the full telephoto setting (12 zoom steps) is supposedly out of the macro range (0 – 10 zoom steps), it provides a little more magnification and working distance. Width of the frame is at the minimum working distance for each sample.

You might notice that all samples exhibit some degree of corner softness at full telephoto when viewed at 100%. This can be attributed to the native lens which shows slight softness as can be seen in the native macro samples.