CANON PowerShot GOLF, a laser rangefinder for golf with a built-in shooting function and digital zoom [COOL GADGETS Vol.64]

The unique features of a camera manufacturer

The back of the body houses the EVF, zoom button, video recording button, and diopter adjustment dial. It is also extremely lightweight and compact, weighing just 151g including the memory card.

The true joy of golf lies in devising a strategy for each shot, taking into account the course and weather conditions at the time, and how accurately you can execute that strategy. Which club should you choose, and where should you aim? The accumulation of these decisions leads to a good score. Of course, you practice every day to be able to execute such a strategy, but what about the other strategic element? As you improve through repeated practice, you can also develop more advanced strategies “on your own.” That’s what PowerShot GOLF was developed for.

The “PowerShot” brand is for digital cameras. In fact, this device is also essentially a digital camera, but for photography alone, many people are satisfied with the high-performance camera built into their smartphones. However, for special occasions and special places, you’ll want to use a high-performance SLR camera.

The specific purpose of this product is to improve your golf game and score. The 6x and 12x switchable digital zoom with image stabilization clearly captures the situation up to 400 yards away, allowing you to see important information at a glance, from the position of the pins around the green to the shape of the bunkers. It identifies images of the pins and ball and measures the distance to the identified subject. It also measures the direction and vertical slope. The screen displays both the horizontal distance and the actual distance when slope is taken into account, allowing you to plan your shot more accurately.

You can also take still images and videos to review your play.

The EVF (electronic viewfinder) allows for clear distance measurement, and the magnification within the viewfinder can be easily switched between 6x and 12x (digital zoom) with the push of a button. — [1]

Because it's a digital camera, you can capture still images and videos that show the measured distance. You can review the images after playing and use them for your next game. This is where Canon's unique strength lies. — [1]

When you’re out on the course, you can intuitively grasp whether you’re hitting uphill or downhill, but it’s difficult to grasp the exact slope. However, with this product, after a little use, you’ll be able to grasp how much correction you need to make to the horizontal distance when hitting the ball.

This product is also a digital camera. After hitting your shot, you can record your shot while looking at the target area, and it will take still images and videos along with distance data. After the shot, you can record the ball’s trajectory and record audio of points you need to improve, which is very useful for improving your game.

Recording distance data and video together brings new ways to enjoy golf and makes reviewing practice rounds even more useful. Even if you hit a perfect driver shot that even surprises you, you can record how far the ball flew while filming its trajectory, and if you hit a near-pin, the distance of your approach shot will also be displayed in real time.

It also comes with its own accessory case

The included case can be attached to a belt, so you can quickly take it out and put it away when you're ready to play. It's also water-resistant to IPX4 standards, so you can use it even in the rain. — The included case can be attached to a belt, so you can quickly take it out and put it away when you’re ready to play. It’s also water-resistant to IPX4 standards, so you can use it even in the rain.

The lightweight design of approximately 151g is light enough not to get in the way of playing, but more importantly, it is compact enough to fit easily in a trouser pocket. It is also IPX4 equivalent water-resistant, so you can use it safely even in the rain.

By making more accurate decisions about each shot, you will steadily improve your game. By recording your own successes and failures that are not recorded on the scorecard, you will be able to achieve better results in your next round.

REPORT/Masakazu HONDA

PHOTO/Kunihisa KOBAYASHI

MAGAZINE/ GENROQ January 2025 issue

PRICE

51,700 yen (reference price)

evaluation

This product proves that digital cameras can evolve to this extent to help improve your golf score. It’s a no-nonsense product that focuses on truly desired functions and improves usability in those situations.

Cost performance: 3

Image quality: 4

Battery: 5

Functionality: 5

Ease of use: 4

[Inquiries]

Customer Service Center

TEL 0570-07-9224
https://personal.canon.jp/product/compact-digital-camera/powershot/golf