Отзывы о Фотоаппарат Canon PowerShot G9
440 отзывов пользователей o Canon PowerShot G9
Пользовались
Canon PowerShot G9?
Поделитесь своим опытом и помогите другим сделать правильный выбор
Скроменый эксперт
18.07.2009
6/10
Оценка пользователя
Плохо
I got my Canon G9 in approximately February '08 and instantly began to enjoy many of its features. Moving up from a G5 I enjoyed the more compact size and the improved pixels. Even the less than satisfactory grip wasn't really an issue. Over the next year and a half I gave it a real work out taking it on trips and to many family events. It only gave me one worry last July ('08) when it somehow drained itself of power on its own while turned off in a ziploc bag. The lens never extended out nor was there any way the power button could have been turned on by accident since it was carefully padded all around. It did power up when I replaced the battery.
Then last week, almost a year later, the On/Off power button became stuck in the down position and I mean way down. I had been taking a series of campfire shots in various SCR modes and had just turned it off earlier and wanted to turn it back on. Nothing would release that button or bring it back up. I tried all troubleshooting hints in the manual and online etc.
Since it was out of warranty the nearest camera shop told me it would be at least $175 to send in for repair. I chose to dump it!!! The camera had been a freebie so I don't feel too badly. My G5 still works!
I replaced it with a Canon XSi this week and I bought an extended warranty.
Then last week, almost a year later, the On/Off power button became stuck in the down position and I mean way down. I had been taking a series of campfire shots in various SCR modes and had just turned it off earlier and wanted to turn it back on. Nothing would release that button or bring it back up. I tried all troubleshooting hints in the manual and online etc.
Since it was out of warranty the nearest camera shop told me it would be at least $175 to send in for repair. I chose to dump it!!! The camera had been a freebie so I don't feel too badly. My G5 still works!
I replaced it with a Canon XSi this week and I bought an extended warranty.
Скроменый эксперт
01.11.2009
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I have owned the G3 camera with the swivel screen ---loved it.... It took great pictures. Sadly it no longer works. My daughter purchased the G7 and just loves the ease of use, and the picture quality. I checked out the G10 but wasn't pleased with the reviews and certain aspects of the camera, so I purchased the G9 a tad bit late and paid a premium (but not as high as it is now). I have used it for a month and the picture quality, ease of use, and the capture ability of pictures is just phenomenal. The flash on this camera is powerful too. It takes great shots in the dark, you just need to wait for the camera to focus and great shots were taken at Halloween in the dark. It is so much more than the G3 and G7 but the quality is just great. I own the RebelTi as well, and the quality doesn't compare to the G9 for picture quality. Now all it needs is the swivel screen to come back to take better self-portraits. You won't go wrong with this camera!!!
Скроменый эксперт
26.12.2007
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
I'm a prosumer, which means I have enough knowledge to take good shots (my 5th digital camera and 3rd Canon) and use some editing software that, thank god, is not included with the camera nor made by Canon.
The camera and multiple setting abilities are wonderful. This is the point and click I should have had 4 years ago, with decent zoom, minimal barrel distortion on wide shots and enough detail to satisfy most creative projects. The image quality, at max res and minimal JPEG compression is similar to what I remember my ancient, first generation digital SLR was--a nice overall Histogram reading, terrific auto white balancing, and decent contrast control using the aperture and shutter settings.
This is a camera for someone who has at least a year's worth of good experience with a previous "prosumer" camera. It is not for little Johnny and his summer camp adventures--but I think given the price, you know that already. While you can certainly give it to a child, there are so many higher function settings and dials that a novice will easily get confused. This is the kind of camera best suited for outdoor shots and well lighted indoor shots; lousy for professional users who may complain about "noise" with low light levels, or the difficulty of getting RAW file format shots unless you use Canon's cheesy downloading software (the Photoshop plug-ins are out there for reading RAW format files, but it seems Canon has written them for Adobe Photoshop CS3, and I still use CS2). I managed to get spectacular night shots with very little JPEG compression noise by opening the aperture and using a tripod. Honestly, that's a big deal over my previous Canon A710.
Now for the bad part.
How difficult would it be for Canon corporate to hire a few more "non-English as a second language" tech writers to write their manuals in a grammatically correct, spell-checked manner? Their manuals are still a bit confusing, contain multiple spelling errors, and constantly refer to several other manuals for the most mundane of tasks. There are 1, 2, 3, 4...count them 4 booklets/manuals included in the box, one of which is totally in Spanish.
While I'm no dummy, Canon insists on dumbing down their software for downloading and using the computer to manually take shots. This camera has a gazillion features; Canon: please write software for prosumers/professionals. We want Photoshop-quality interfaces with defined functions, not ugly drugstore photo printing kiosk icons. This particular camera may be for high powered image taking, but the "CameraWindow" software is so simple 12 year-olds will find it easy to use. Canon's website, while far from the poor site design of 1999 when I first started using digital cameras, is still a babel of options to find even the simplest of information. The fact that Canon makes everything from cameras to medical imaging equipment and radio telescopes complicates easy browsing. Anyway...I digress.
Like I wrote, this is the camera Canon should have come out with 4 years ago. The features were there; just on different cameras for different reasons. It's nice to finally see all of the ones I need on one camera.
The camera and multiple setting abilities are wonderful. This is the point and click I should have had 4 years ago, with decent zoom, minimal barrel distortion on wide shots and enough detail to satisfy most creative projects. The image quality, at max res and minimal JPEG compression is similar to what I remember my ancient, first generation digital SLR was--a nice overall Histogram reading, terrific auto white balancing, and decent contrast control using the aperture and shutter settings.
This is a camera for someone who has at least a year's worth of good experience with a previous "prosumer" camera. It is not for little Johnny and his summer camp adventures--but I think given the price, you know that already. While you can certainly give it to a child, there are so many higher function settings and dials that a novice will easily get confused. This is the kind of camera best suited for outdoor shots and well lighted indoor shots; lousy for professional users who may complain about "noise" with low light levels, or the difficulty of getting RAW file format shots unless you use Canon's cheesy downloading software (the Photoshop plug-ins are out there for reading RAW format files, but it seems Canon has written them for Adobe Photoshop CS3, and I still use CS2). I managed to get spectacular night shots with very little JPEG compression noise by opening the aperture and using a tripod. Honestly, that's a big deal over my previous Canon A710.
Now for the bad part.
How difficult would it be for Canon corporate to hire a few more "non-English as a second language" tech writers to write their manuals in a grammatically correct, spell-checked manner? Their manuals are still a bit confusing, contain multiple spelling errors, and constantly refer to several other manuals for the most mundane of tasks. There are 1, 2, 3, 4...count them 4 booklets/manuals included in the box, one of which is totally in Spanish.
While I'm no dummy, Canon insists on dumbing down their software for downloading and using the computer to manually take shots. This camera has a gazillion features; Canon: please write software for prosumers/professionals. We want Photoshop-quality interfaces with defined functions, not ugly drugstore photo printing kiosk icons. This particular camera may be for high powered image taking, but the "CameraWindow" software is so simple 12 year-olds will find it easy to use. Canon's website, while far from the poor site design of 1999 when I first started using digital cameras, is still a babel of options to find even the simplest of information. The fact that Canon makes everything from cameras to medical imaging equipment and radio telescopes complicates easy browsing. Anyway...I digress.
Like I wrote, this is the camera Canon should have come out with 4 years ago. The features were there; just on different cameras for different reasons. It's nice to finally see all of the ones I need on one camera.
Скроменый эксперт
06.09.2009
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
I am here to save you time on your research....So here it goes. My Canon G9 is pretty awesome for a little SLR alternative. This little camera has surprised me over the past year. I have taken this baby through the deserts here in the southwest and beyond. I really have gotten some nice photos if you know what the camera is capable of. As people have stated above ISO 400 begins some noise appears.....so just keep it between 80-200 ISO and you will be fine. As for the video the Canon G9 takes you can't find one thats better. It has great low-light capablities and a stereo sound that is sweet to your ears. I have taken some really nice short videos at dusk and they were incredible. Also I love the timelapse mode which the G10 is lacking. The only thing that I wish about the Canon G9 is the RAW files can't be opened in Canons DPP software like the Canon G10....so I use Corel Paint Shop Pro X2 for those RAW files.....Most of the time though I just shoot JPEGS with the 12 megapixel setting. Well there you go.......I hope this helps your search for your camera...peace
Скроменый эксперт
15.12.2007
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
Let me start off by saying; "I know that many die-hard camera enthusiasts have mixed feelings about the G9." I've read all the reviews and more. I for one, do not. My point-of-view is positive and optimistic. And, I'll tell you exactly why I feel this way about the G9.
First, if you're going to compare this camera to a DSLR, then you're absolutely foolish. There is no comparison, and it's absolutely ridiculous to even try. Why? Well the sensor size being one factor, and then the incredible lenses that are available on a DSLR. At this point, you either understand where I'm going with this, or you don't understand digital camera design.
The best way to describe a G9 is to compare it to a Crossover SUV. It's not an SUV and it's not an automobile. Well, the G9 is not a DSLR, but it's also not just a plain point-and-shoot camera. For what it's worth, Canon did a great job taking the best from both sides and blending them to create what I consider the best compact camera available for the enthusiast digital camera photographer. For the size and money, you will NOT find anything better, more equipped, and more capable. I've been taking digital pictures since 1997, and I've yet to find something as well balanced in this form factor. It just doesn't exist. The competition has a lot of trade-offs, and sometimes they are not worth it. I've owned quite a few in the past, and I'm sold on this one. DSLR cameras are great, but they are not reasonable when it comes to everyday use. They are too large and not practical. Unless you're a professional. If you want something to take pictures of kids, take on vacation, use it for artistic flair; then the G9 does extremely well in this area.
One of the most common complaints with the G9 (as wells as other compact cameras), is noise at high ISO levels. Well, that's a common trait that is shared with practically ever compact camera that uses a non-DSLR CCD sensor period! As far as I know, there are only two CCD sensors in this class; the one that SONY manufactures, and the one that FUJI manufacturers. The SONY CCD is most common in every camera. So if all compact cameras use the same CCD, wouldn't they all share the same common issues? The answer is "Yes." However, if a compact camera has more manual flexibility and control, then it can better manage the trade-offs with the small CCD. And the G9 has that ability.
So far, I'm seeing pretty sharp and accurate pictures between ISO 80 and 200. Even at ISO 400; compared to the competition, it's much better. Try doing that with a SONY camera - good LUCK! SONY cameras have a tendency to over-process the pictures and the contrast is FLAT. The pictures do not look real. The G9, takes very life-like pictures in comparison. The colors are accurate and the focus is always sharp, The DIGIC III does not over process the picture to the point where is looks dull at maximum magnification.
Overall, this is a camera that is definitely worth the money. This will not disappoint. It's built like a tank and has SO MANY options and flexibility. If your serious about digital and want something small enough to carry around, then this is your best bet.
First, if you're going to compare this camera to a DSLR, then you're absolutely foolish. There is no comparison, and it's absolutely ridiculous to even try. Why? Well the sensor size being one factor, and then the incredible lenses that are available on a DSLR. At this point, you either understand where I'm going with this, or you don't understand digital camera design.
The best way to describe a G9 is to compare it to a Crossover SUV. It's not an SUV and it's not an automobile. Well, the G9 is not a DSLR, but it's also not just a plain point-and-shoot camera. For what it's worth, Canon did a great job taking the best from both sides and blending them to create what I consider the best compact camera available for the enthusiast digital camera photographer. For the size and money, you will NOT find anything better, more equipped, and more capable. I've been taking digital pictures since 1997, and I've yet to find something as well balanced in this form factor. It just doesn't exist. The competition has a lot of trade-offs, and sometimes they are not worth it. I've owned quite a few in the past, and I'm sold on this one. DSLR cameras are great, but they are not reasonable when it comes to everyday use. They are too large and not practical. Unless you're a professional. If you want something to take pictures of kids, take on vacation, use it for artistic flair; then the G9 does extremely well in this area.
One of the most common complaints with the G9 (as wells as other compact cameras), is noise at high ISO levels. Well, that's a common trait that is shared with practically ever compact camera that uses a non-DSLR CCD sensor period! As far as I know, there are only two CCD sensors in this class; the one that SONY manufactures, and the one that FUJI manufacturers. The SONY CCD is most common in every camera. So if all compact cameras use the same CCD, wouldn't they all share the same common issues? The answer is "Yes." However, if a compact camera has more manual flexibility and control, then it can better manage the trade-offs with the small CCD. And the G9 has that ability.
So far, I'm seeing pretty sharp and accurate pictures between ISO 80 and 200. Even at ISO 400; compared to the competition, it's much better. Try doing that with a SONY camera - good LUCK! SONY cameras have a tendency to over-process the pictures and the contrast is FLAT. The pictures do not look real. The G9, takes very life-like pictures in comparison. The colors are accurate and the focus is always sharp, The DIGIC III does not over process the picture to the point where is looks dull at maximum magnification.
Overall, this is a camera that is definitely worth the money. This will not disappoint. It's built like a tank and has SO MANY options and flexibility. If your serious about digital and want something small enough to carry around, then this is your best bet.
Скроменый эксперт
17.11.2007
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I started long time ago with several film manual 35 mm SLRs and point-and-shoots. Then came a digital era, and I purchased several generations of Minolta DiMAGE pocket cameras. For my downhill skiing trips I wanted a rugged, dependable miniature and intelligent cameras with viewfinder, minimum of controls and ability to shoot movie clips. Back then DiMAGE cameras met my all expectations. I used them at home, daily at work and during vacations. Unfortunately Minolta folded before producing a compact camera with image stabilization. IS is very important for low light shooting from hands. During my September trip to the picturesque Greek Santorini island my DiMAGE X50 had to struggle on it's own with both strong and low lighting of day and night. There thoughts of a better camera with manual controls came to my mind, views were so precious! I carefully studied reviews of DSLRs, looked at them - O boy, they are bulky, and they do not shoot movies! Super-zooms with fixed lenses were not smaller either. Thoughts of falling again during skiing on such camera didn't make me happy - I had few of them. Suddenly I stumbled upon Canon G9 review - it was what I wanted: relatively compact, flat, almost no protruding parts, small Lithium battery, compact but effective optical image stabilization, F2.8 35 mm 6x zoom lens , amazing 3" LCD + viewfinder, ergonomic manual controls, black, takes movies and have newest 12 MP image sensor. I immediately ordered it on Amazon because of better price and assortment of options available; I wanted a decent camera case with it as well. UPS ground parcel came shortly; camera was safely packed and started to work right away. I used camera only for a month so far at home and outside. Quality of the pictures with stunning details exceeded my expectations. Skin tones in portrait shooting came out so good! DiGIC III processor was able to adjust even to strong back light conditions. During night shooting I saw IS kicked in: pictures came out sharp and colorful. I took Halloween pictures in a dimmed light using built in camera flash and got praises from my friends on the web photo album; velvety fabrics came out beautifully. I shot several short movies at standard resolution at 30 fps - they came out crisp and well balanced with good sound from the built-in microphone. I'm wondering: does G9 sensor provides pixel binning for a movie resolution, or is a better sensor? My Minoltas with rise of sensor pixel count would capture exceedingly darker and blockier movies. G9's black paint makes it to look larger and heavier, but it feels just right in hands and don't strain my shoulder on a strap. Lens on power up/down telescopes in and out fast, and hides behind the lens protector - no lens cap needed. Shooting lags for portraits was imperceivable. LCD image is so good, even with sun beaming behind - I didn't glance into viewfinder yet. Shutter release is a feather like comparing to Minolta's; at first I was struggling to find "half way" for the focus check. So far, I charged battery only twice during a month. Soon I will take G9 for a first skiing trip, details to follow.
Overall impression about the G9 camera is excellent, it even exceeded my expectations!
Overall impression about the G9 camera is excellent, it even exceeded my expectations!
Скроменый эксперт
07.03.2010
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
Great LCD screen, no lag time when using RAW, many, many features, EXCELLENT picture quality, color rendition and detail. Small and compact. Equivalent to a dslr. The only draw back is that it's only 6x optical zoom. You can't do much with such a small zoom. But a great camera for the price.
Скроменый эксперт
08.09.2007
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I had the opportunity to get my hands on the G9 a week ago and have used it exclusively for the past week.
Based on my personal observations (And I loved the G7):
I see practically no differences in Image Quality at all. I thought the G7 was superb, and I find the G9 to be superb.
The 12 MP is practically indifferent from the 10 MP on the G7. Sure it gives you slightly more pixel to play with for cropping and printing, but negligibly so.
The design is virtually the same -- the screen is a bit larger, but for all practical purposes it looks and feels the same. I don't see any difference in "brightness" on the screen -- it looked great on the G7 and it looks great on the G9.
THere is a slight contour change on the front with a barely noticable front grip molding -- maybe 1/16 inch more than the original. I honestly can't feel a difference although some users have.
It does have RAW - a feature I don't need nor do I plan to use. But its nice that it is there for those who want it.
The ISO and noise appears to be the same -- the G9 excels at night neon shots - just like the G7. I see no difference in noise between the two cameras.
The shutter lag is exactly the same as the G7 - I don't see any difference like some reviewers have mentioned... it seems exactly the same.
Some say that the optical view finder works better - that it is clearer with less parallax. I have never used an optical view finder on a point-and-shoot in my life, so I can't compare this feature. I will add that here, though, since others have found it a useful improvement.
I also don't see any difference in battery life -- maybe its more problematic if you use RAW, but I've gotten the same 450 plus shots out of the battery, just like the G9.
The design of the lens and the connections are the same, so I expect those of us who carry it around in our pockets are going to have the same dust problems we had with the G7.
Finally in similarities -- the camera feels the same and weighs the same. It responds the same when you start it up, and it makes just as much noise as the original. The trademark Canon grinding lens noise is intact.
in differences: that old 2GB card that used to get 800 shots at 10 MP now gets 600 shots at 12 MP.
The autofocus seems slower on the G9.
Macro shots do not focus as quickly or as well on the G9. There are some shots that I routinely was able to quickly use macro for on the G7, that now require quite a bit of futzing to get sharp and focused in the G9. I suppose that is one of the changes because of the larger sensor, but I don't know. I actually thought there might be something wrong with the camera, but looking at another G9 at a different camera shop (so it wasn't the lot number) I was able to reproduce the same difficulty focusing with Macro as on my personal G9, so it's apparently a camera thing.
The long and the short of it -- I don't think it is worth the Upgrade if you have a G7 unless you really really want the RAW. For all other practical purposes, it's the same on a day-to-day usage level.
If you are new to the Canon Powershot G line, then skip the G7 and purchase the G9 -- it is like "G7 SuperCharged" -- while in general the two are identical. THe G9 is actually less expensive than the G7 as well.
Based on my personal observations (And I loved the G7):
I see practically no differences in Image Quality at all. I thought the G7 was superb, and I find the G9 to be superb.
The 12 MP is practically indifferent from the 10 MP on the G7. Sure it gives you slightly more pixel to play with for cropping and printing, but negligibly so.
The design is virtually the same -- the screen is a bit larger, but for all practical purposes it looks and feels the same. I don't see any difference in "brightness" on the screen -- it looked great on the G7 and it looks great on the G9.
THere is a slight contour change on the front with a barely noticable front grip molding -- maybe 1/16 inch more than the original. I honestly can't feel a difference although some users have.
It does have RAW - a feature I don't need nor do I plan to use. But its nice that it is there for those who want it.
The ISO and noise appears to be the same -- the G9 excels at night neon shots - just like the G7. I see no difference in noise between the two cameras.
The shutter lag is exactly the same as the G7 - I don't see any difference like some reviewers have mentioned... it seems exactly the same.
Some say that the optical view finder works better - that it is clearer with less parallax. I have never used an optical view finder on a point-and-shoot in my life, so I can't compare this feature. I will add that here, though, since others have found it a useful improvement.
I also don't see any difference in battery life -- maybe its more problematic if you use RAW, but I've gotten the same 450 plus shots out of the battery, just like the G9.
The design of the lens and the connections are the same, so I expect those of us who carry it around in our pockets are going to have the same dust problems we had with the G7.
Finally in similarities -- the camera feels the same and weighs the same. It responds the same when you start it up, and it makes just as much noise as the original. The trademark Canon grinding lens noise is intact.
in differences: that old 2GB card that used to get 800 shots at 10 MP now gets 600 shots at 12 MP.
The autofocus seems slower on the G9.
Macro shots do not focus as quickly or as well on the G9. There are some shots that I routinely was able to quickly use macro for on the G7, that now require quite a bit of futzing to get sharp and focused in the G9. I suppose that is one of the changes because of the larger sensor, but I don't know. I actually thought there might be something wrong with the camera, but looking at another G9 at a different camera shop (so it wasn't the lot number) I was able to reproduce the same difficulty focusing with Macro as on my personal G9, so it's apparently a camera thing.
The long and the short of it -- I don't think it is worth the Upgrade if you have a G7 unless you really really want the RAW. For all other practical purposes, it's the same on a day-to-day usage level.
If you are new to the Canon Powershot G line, then skip the G7 and purchase the G9 -- it is like "G7 SuperCharged" -- while in general the two are identical. THe G9 is actually less expensive than the G7 as well.
Скроменый эксперт
16.07.2008
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
Canon PowerShot G9 12.1MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
This camera has restored the fun in photography for me. Let me explain: I am 80 years old, started out with a Speed Graphic using the Ansel Adams Zone System, graduated to a Linhof Technica V with all the extras, downsized to an Olympus OM-1, then a Canon EOS 35mm with most of the extras, got older and grew tired of toting all that gear and, in 2000, gave it all up for snapshots with a Canon Digital Power Shot 100. Shot lots of 2.1 MP stuff and quickly lost all interest in photography. But the spark was still smouldering so this year (2008)I bought a Canon G9 and started shooting again. Wow! It's like my Linhof days with 2 pounds of equipment (including the tripod) instead of fifty pounds.
There's an abundance of technical reviews on the G9 so I'll skip that and move on to the REAL reason I give it 5 stars: When I put this little digital tank on a tripod and set it on M (manual) it reminds me of my 4x5 days, under a focus cloth composing on a 4x5 screen or peeking though a mirror back and checking parallex, depth of field, and composition. When I scroll through the aperture and exposure settings it reminds me of my spot meter days of evaluation except, with this little jewel, you see the final result BEFORE you press the shutter.
What I missed most was the way 4x5 slowed you down and made you study your subject. You weren't after 10 shots bracketed, you were after 1 shot carefully composed and technically structured. There was something special about getting to know your environment while you took the time to compoose and evaluate or wait for the right sky conditions. 35mm didn't satisfy, it simply motivated me to become a quick shot bracketed shooter. And, like 4x5, it hid its final result until after the darkroom.
So - if you REALLY want to experience the shot and put it in your memory bank, get this camera, put it on a tripod, and ENJOY photography. And, when circumstances dictate, just whip it out, point and shoot on auto, and get the shot. Either way, this camera excels. Then there's always RAW if you miss the darkroom and want to adventure into Adobe's Creative Suite.
Happy Shooting!
This camera has restored the fun in photography for me. Let me explain: I am 80 years old, started out with a Speed Graphic using the Ansel Adams Zone System, graduated to a Linhof Technica V with all the extras, downsized to an Olympus OM-1, then a Canon EOS 35mm with most of the extras, got older and grew tired of toting all that gear and, in 2000, gave it all up for snapshots with a Canon Digital Power Shot 100. Shot lots of 2.1 MP stuff and quickly lost all interest in photography. But the spark was still smouldering so this year (2008)I bought a Canon G9 and started shooting again. Wow! It's like my Linhof days with 2 pounds of equipment (including the tripod) instead of fifty pounds.
There's an abundance of technical reviews on the G9 so I'll skip that and move on to the REAL reason I give it 5 stars: When I put this little digital tank on a tripod and set it on M (manual) it reminds me of my 4x5 days, under a focus cloth composing on a 4x5 screen or peeking though a mirror back and checking parallex, depth of field, and composition. When I scroll through the aperture and exposure settings it reminds me of my spot meter days of evaluation except, with this little jewel, you see the final result BEFORE you press the shutter.
What I missed most was the way 4x5 slowed you down and made you study your subject. You weren't after 10 shots bracketed, you were after 1 shot carefully composed and technically structured. There was something special about getting to know your environment while you took the time to compoose and evaluate or wait for the right sky conditions. 35mm didn't satisfy, it simply motivated me to become a quick shot bracketed shooter. And, like 4x5, it hid its final result until after the darkroom.
So - if you REALLY want to experience the shot and put it in your memory bank, get this camera, put it on a tripod, and ENJOY photography. And, when circumstances dictate, just whip it out, point and shoot on auto, and get the shot. Either way, this camera excels. Then there's always RAW if you miss the darkroom and want to adventure into Adobe's Creative Suite.
Happy Shooting!
Скроменый эксперт
01.11.2007
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I've had my new G9 for a few weeks, and so far I like it a lot. I have a Canon SLR (the 10D), and it's hard to beat the SLRs for taking a picture exactly when you press the shutter, though the G9 is no slouch in reaction time--and it will fit in my pocket, where the 10D requires its own pack.
I did a lot of research when choosing the G9, but I had some pretty specific criteria I wanted to satisfy: Long digital zoom, RAW-capable (no G8), very portable (jacket pocket, not ultra-portable), and a flash hot shoe. It's a small camera--smaller than the flashes I tend to attach to it (like the Sigma EF 500 DG Super), but after learning how much better an external flash could make my photography look, I never wanted to go back. If you want the best facial tones you've ever seen, bounce a flash off a white ceiling rather than using the internal flash. The results are incredible.
The screen is huge, the video quality is excellent, and the 6x optical + 4x digital zoom brings your total zoom to 24x, and at that magnification you still get a 1600x1200 photo (using digital zoom effectively crops in-camera)--which won't make a very good poster, but is more than enough to make a decent 4x6, and is huge if you're taking pictures for a web page. While you can certainly crop photos later, the extra zoom allows you to tell the camera what it is in the frame you're interested in--and then it can auto-focus on exactly the point you mean, just scan the interesting area for faces, or what have you. A great feature IMHO.
Just turning this camera on is AMAZING. It must be less than a second from when you hit on to when the lens has extended and it's ready to take a picture--actually faster than my old 10D! It has a quiet zoom, and the auto-face-recognition is pretty magical, though it doesn't perform as well on a face in profile.
I love the animated user interface, too--a minor bit of polish for sure, but it's yet another thing to be happy about. :)
Negatives: Well, I have the Canon 10D, the old PowerShot G1, and a Canon MiniDV Camcorder that all use the same battery type (Canon BP511A), and so it was a bit of a bummer having to use a new charger and battery for the G9--though it's smaller, and as a result the camera can be smaller, so it was a minor price to pay. The G1 also had a fold-out swivel screen, which was great, and I do miss it on the G9--though the G9 has a HUGE screen, so again it's a trade-off.
If you're not used to holding the shutter down half-way to prefocus, it's not the fastest at locking on a focus and taking a shot--but just about no auto-focus pocket-cameras WILL focus from scratch really quickly, at least none that I'm aware of. If you do learn to press halfway to set up the shot in advance, it's decently fast for a non-SLR--and you can set it to "Kids and Pets" mode to encourage it to prefocus as much as possible.
In any event, it's my new favorite camera. I'm not selling my 10D yet, but I'm certainly considering it...
I did a lot of research when choosing the G9, but I had some pretty specific criteria I wanted to satisfy: Long digital zoom, RAW-capable (no G8), very portable (jacket pocket, not ultra-portable), and a flash hot shoe. It's a small camera--smaller than the flashes I tend to attach to it (like the Sigma EF 500 DG Super), but after learning how much better an external flash could make my photography look, I never wanted to go back. If you want the best facial tones you've ever seen, bounce a flash off a white ceiling rather than using the internal flash. The results are incredible.
The screen is huge, the video quality is excellent, and the 6x optical + 4x digital zoom brings your total zoom to 24x, and at that magnification you still get a 1600x1200 photo (using digital zoom effectively crops in-camera)--which won't make a very good poster, but is more than enough to make a decent 4x6, and is huge if you're taking pictures for a web page. While you can certainly crop photos later, the extra zoom allows you to tell the camera what it is in the frame you're interested in--and then it can auto-focus on exactly the point you mean, just scan the interesting area for faces, or what have you. A great feature IMHO.
Just turning this camera on is AMAZING. It must be less than a second from when you hit on to when the lens has extended and it's ready to take a picture--actually faster than my old 10D! It has a quiet zoom, and the auto-face-recognition is pretty magical, though it doesn't perform as well on a face in profile.
I love the animated user interface, too--a minor bit of polish for sure, but it's yet another thing to be happy about. :)
Negatives: Well, I have the Canon 10D, the old PowerShot G1, and a Canon MiniDV Camcorder that all use the same battery type (Canon BP511A), and so it was a bit of a bummer having to use a new charger and battery for the G9--though it's smaller, and as a result the camera can be smaller, so it was a minor price to pay. The G1 also had a fold-out swivel screen, which was great, and I do miss it on the G9--though the G9 has a HUGE screen, so again it's a trade-off.
If you're not used to holding the shutter down half-way to prefocus, it's not the fastest at locking on a focus and taking a shot--but just about no auto-focus pocket-cameras WILL focus from scratch really quickly, at least none that I'm aware of. If you do learn to press halfway to set up the shot in advance, it's decently fast for a non-SLR--and you can set it to "Kids and Pets" mode to encourage it to prefocus as much as possible.
In any event, it's my new favorite camera. I'm not selling my 10D yet, but I'm certainly considering it...
Скроменый эксперт
12.05.2008
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
Amazon delivered the Canon G9 as promised. The Camera has been fun to learn over the last 30 days. This camera is best bought by someone interested taking Photographs, not snapshots! The difference is that snapshots are quick, brainless, and mostly good results at Bday parties, dinners, travelling landscapes, etc. (I own a Nikon coolpix for that purpose) Whereas the G9 is best used by someone desiring to be creative with photographs, take a little longer to set the camera controls; think through the end result, before setting the camera and clicking...
The Camera is an EXCELLENT choice for a portable high end point and shoot camera (that is as near to DSLR as possible). It is an EXCELLENT camera to take in place of DSLR and multiple lenses (6x optical zoom, Hotshoe, manual settings, RAW capability, etc.). It is an EXCELLENT camera to learn about PHOTOGRAPHY and maybe step into DSLR's in the future. IMPORTANT NOTE: The camera has a decent learning curve, and if you buy this top rated camera, you must be prepared to spend time becoming familiar and learning the settings. You will join the Ansel Adams crowd when you buy the G9. Of course, there is a fully automatic setting on the camera for fast P&S shooting, but where's the fun in that?
The downside to the camera is the shutter lag is somewhat noticable, and this requires a "human adjustment" in how you use your camera. Meaning, it is not a fast DSLR, but because the G9 is so good and capable, you may think of it in that way, and have to "wake-up" a moment ... take just a bit longer to snap the Photograph.
I am thrilled with the camera! I would buy this camera again! I researched this camera extensively before I made the purchase, and considered the super-zoom category of cameras. There are many to choose, and my nearest choice was the Canon S5-IS. However this category is crowded with Fujifilm, Panasonic, Sony, and Nikon... so you really must do your homework (Hey, you're reading this review, so you're ahead of the crowd already. Research is as much of the enjoyment of making a new camera purchase, right?) The image quality, the remarkable build quality, great fit and feel in you hands, and the portability (vs. DSLR with mutiple lenses), and the rich rich feature set including RAW (again remember the learning curve)... makes this camera the only and singular camera for me.
The Camera is an EXCELLENT choice for a portable high end point and shoot camera (that is as near to DSLR as possible). It is an EXCELLENT camera to take in place of DSLR and multiple lenses (6x optical zoom, Hotshoe, manual settings, RAW capability, etc.). It is an EXCELLENT camera to learn about PHOTOGRAPHY and maybe step into DSLR's in the future. IMPORTANT NOTE: The camera has a decent learning curve, and if you buy this top rated camera, you must be prepared to spend time becoming familiar and learning the settings. You will join the Ansel Adams crowd when you buy the G9. Of course, there is a fully automatic setting on the camera for fast P&S shooting, but where's the fun in that?
The downside to the camera is the shutter lag is somewhat noticable, and this requires a "human adjustment" in how you use your camera. Meaning, it is not a fast DSLR, but because the G9 is so good and capable, you may think of it in that way, and have to "wake-up" a moment ... take just a bit longer to snap the Photograph.
I am thrilled with the camera! I would buy this camera again! I researched this camera extensively before I made the purchase, and considered the super-zoom category of cameras. There are many to choose, and my nearest choice was the Canon S5-IS. However this category is crowded with Fujifilm, Panasonic, Sony, and Nikon... so you really must do your homework (Hey, you're reading this review, so you're ahead of the crowd already. Research is as much of the enjoyment of making a new camera purchase, right?) The image quality, the remarkable build quality, great fit and feel in you hands, and the portability (vs. DSLR with mutiple lenses), and the rich rich feature set including RAW (again remember the learning curve)... makes this camera the only and singular camera for me.
Скроменый эксперт
11.07.2008
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I've got a nice Canon DSLR setup with L-series lenses, etc... the whole works. But a lot of times you just don't want to lug it all around, or even get it out just to take a couple of quick shots. I really wanted to get a good "point and shoot" but I didn;t want to compromise on images and say, "I wish I got my good camera out".
So I did a lot of searching and playing with various cameras and ultimately I selected the Canon G9 and here's why...
1. It has a huge LCD display so you can hold the camera away from you and still see what you're shooting at, even from odd angles. Checking photos after the shot is easy too without having to zoom in all the time.
2. It's fully automatic if you want to leave it that way or you can fully customize it with shutter-priority, aperture priority, fully manual... basically almost everything you can do with your DSLR. So you can manage depth of field, etc. with ease.
3. The ability to add on the telephoto lens and converter is great... effectively gives it a 400MM optical zoom. I haven't tried the wide lens since the camera lens is wide enough for me.
4. It's image stabilization works well... great for low light shots without a flash without compromising on image quality by using a higher ISO.
5. Finally - the ability to use an external flash is terrific. I already had the 580EX but wanted to get a 430EX as a "slave" - this gave me the reason to do so, as a 430EX looks much better on the G9 and works great. (The 580 works too but it's so much bigger.
Are there compromises with the G9? I suppose so but not too many. It's not the smallest camera out there. It fits in a jacket pocket but not a shirt pocket. Also, it would be if the G9 and it's Raw photos could be managed with Canon's Digital Photo Professional software. But having two sets of software for my Canon cameras isn't that big a deal.
In the end - I think it's a great little camera and with the add-ons of lenses and external flash - it gives you big camera benefits from a little camera package.
So I did a lot of searching and playing with various cameras and ultimately I selected the Canon G9 and here's why...
1. It has a huge LCD display so you can hold the camera away from you and still see what you're shooting at, even from odd angles. Checking photos after the shot is easy too without having to zoom in all the time.
2. It's fully automatic if you want to leave it that way or you can fully customize it with shutter-priority, aperture priority, fully manual... basically almost everything you can do with your DSLR. So you can manage depth of field, etc. with ease.
3. The ability to add on the telephoto lens and converter is great... effectively gives it a 400MM optical zoom. I haven't tried the wide lens since the camera lens is wide enough for me.
4. It's image stabilization works well... great for low light shots without a flash without compromising on image quality by using a higher ISO.
5. Finally - the ability to use an external flash is terrific. I already had the 580EX but wanted to get a 430EX as a "slave" - this gave me the reason to do so, as a 430EX looks much better on the G9 and works great. (The 580 works too but it's so much bigger.
Are there compromises with the G9? I suppose so but not too many. It's not the smallest camera out there. It fits in a jacket pocket but not a shirt pocket. Also, it would be if the G9 and it's Raw photos could be managed with Canon's Digital Photo Professional software. But having two sets of software for my Canon cameras isn't that big a deal.
In the end - I think it's a great little camera and with the add-ons of lenses and external flash - it gives you big camera benefits from a little camera package.
Скроменый эксперт
30.09.2009
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
I chose this camera not only because of all of the features, but because of the size. It is so portable, slips in my purse, laptop case etc... It has a ton of options to give the above average amateur photographer everything they need to enjoy their hobby. It took a little getting used to, but once you have the options figured out it is a fun camera to own. The cost vs size vs options is what sold me. I would buy this camera again in a heart beat.
Скроменый эксперт
18.02.2008
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
My wife and I upgraded from a Canon G2, which served us well for a number of years. We wanted a camera that could focus and shoot faster than the G2 and would improve upon the G2's excellent image quality. The real trick was to find a camera that was small enough and automatic enough for my wife (basic level camera user) to use without my assistance, and flexible enough to provide me with advanced functionality. The G9 filled our wish list and much more. The videos are high quality and a real nice bonus when you don't have a video camera with you.
I bought the 430 EX flash to go with this, which makes a huge difference even in every day shots (kids birthday parties for example). We got the Canon 2X teleconverter which also made a huge difference on a recent trip to Costa Rica. Thw wildlife shots are great, and we got some incredible, vivid, up close shots of birds, crocodiles, and monkeys. We also purchased the teleconverter and a polarized filter, which really enhanced the many beach and boating shots we took.
Although the battery lasts for about 300 shots (all in 12 MP), I grabbed another one for the trip, just in case. The battery charger that ships with the camera is wonderful -- it's small enough to fit in the camera bag, and in a pinch you can charge the battery for 15 minutes and get about 20-30 more shots out of it.
I do recommend a 4 GB memory card. I purchased an 8 GB card: 500 full resolution photos, and about 20 four minute videos still left me with room for 700 more photos. I suppose it will come in handy for a two-week trip. I even made use of the audio recording feature, which allowed me to capture some reggae music additional to some still shots I took.
The bundled software is really nice for viewing and tagging photos and videos, though I use Corel Photo Album for all printing, and Photoshop Elements for any editing. Someday I'll find one package that will do it all well, but not yet.
Camera, teleconverter lens, flash, conversion lens, spare battery, filter, charger, and a few other items, all fit comfortably in a LowePro Nova Mini AW bag. It's very durable and has a water proof cover.
In all, I'm thrilled with this and amazed by how much functionality Canon put into this camera. My wife is very happy with the great shots taken in Automatic mode too.
I bought the 430 EX flash to go with this, which makes a huge difference even in every day shots (kids birthday parties for example). We got the Canon 2X teleconverter which also made a huge difference on a recent trip to Costa Rica. Thw wildlife shots are great, and we got some incredible, vivid, up close shots of birds, crocodiles, and monkeys. We also purchased the teleconverter and a polarized filter, which really enhanced the many beach and boating shots we took.
Although the battery lasts for about 300 shots (all in 12 MP), I grabbed another one for the trip, just in case. The battery charger that ships with the camera is wonderful -- it's small enough to fit in the camera bag, and in a pinch you can charge the battery for 15 minutes and get about 20-30 more shots out of it.
I do recommend a 4 GB memory card. I purchased an 8 GB card: 500 full resolution photos, and about 20 four minute videos still left me with room for 700 more photos. I suppose it will come in handy for a two-week trip. I even made use of the audio recording feature, which allowed me to capture some reggae music additional to some still shots I took.
The bundled software is really nice for viewing and tagging photos and videos, though I use Corel Photo Album for all printing, and Photoshop Elements for any editing. Someday I'll find one package that will do it all well, but not yet.
Camera, teleconverter lens, flash, conversion lens, spare battery, filter, charger, and a few other items, all fit comfortably in a LowePro Nova Mini AW bag. It's very durable and has a water proof cover.
In all, I'm thrilled with this and amazed by how much functionality Canon put into this camera. My wife is very happy with the great shots taken in Automatic mode too.
Скроменый эксперт
13.12.2007
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
My first impressions after two long photo-taking sessions and owning this camera for 2.5 weeks:
For someone who is used to a point-and-shoot camera and have no intention of learning the nuances of photography, this camera IS NOT for you. It is very nimble and light compared to my old Sony DSC-75. But it's also built well. I have had no problems with the memory card or battery life (I bought a 2 gb high speed card). Some of the menus and controls require someone to use the camera fairly often to remember what they are doing.
I am irked about the noise at higher ISOs. It is hard to take good pictures in medium and low light situations (as in a house). The flash is not that strong compared to my old Sony. This camera seems to require a lot of post-shot editing, but that may be because I am not an expert at taking photographs and controlling variables.
Pluses:
*Built well
*Lighter than an SLR
*Able to add a few lenses for tele and wide shots
*Good amount of megapixels
*Pretty good design for so many features
*Good battery life
*Cheap(er) memory cards than Sony
*Zoom is pretty decent for a point-and-shoot
*Offers many controls and features for those up on photography
Negatives:
*Noisy images, especially when shooting in lower-light situations (indoors and such).
*A bit of post-shot production is required
*When zooming during a movie, an audible click is heard on the audio from the switch being located right by the mic
*Price
I am not convinced this camera is worth the $500 I paid for it. It is a very nice camera, don't get me wrong. I was in the market looking for a portable camera with high megapixels, a good zoom, and movie-taking abilities. This one fit the bill, plus I wanted to learn about photography. I must admit I am not a photo-taking guru, but this seems like a camera where everything needs to be just right to get a good picture right on the card instead of having to edit every little detail in a software program.
If you don't feel like messing with the intricacies of adjusting settings and post-shot editing, do NOT purchase this camera. I do intend on returning this camera to try out the Sony H3. It has a better zoom, good amount of megapixels, more user-friendly, and $200 cheaper. It does not zoom during movies, has quite a bit less control in settings, and the memory costs more. I will edit this review if I have any further findings on the Canon G9.
For someone who is used to a point-and-shoot camera and have no intention of learning the nuances of photography, this camera IS NOT for you. It is very nimble and light compared to my old Sony DSC-75. But it's also built well. I have had no problems with the memory card or battery life (I bought a 2 gb high speed card). Some of the menus and controls require someone to use the camera fairly often to remember what they are doing.
I am irked about the noise at higher ISOs. It is hard to take good pictures in medium and low light situations (as in a house). The flash is not that strong compared to my old Sony. This camera seems to require a lot of post-shot editing, but that may be because I am not an expert at taking photographs and controlling variables.
Pluses:
*Built well
*Lighter than an SLR
*Able to add a few lenses for tele and wide shots
*Good amount of megapixels
*Pretty good design for so many features
*Good battery life
*Cheap(er) memory cards than Sony
*Zoom is pretty decent for a point-and-shoot
*Offers many controls and features for those up on photography
Negatives:
*Noisy images, especially when shooting in lower-light situations (indoors and such).
*A bit of post-shot production is required
*When zooming during a movie, an audible click is heard on the audio from the switch being located right by the mic
*Price
I am not convinced this camera is worth the $500 I paid for it. It is a very nice camera, don't get me wrong. I was in the market looking for a portable camera with high megapixels, a good zoom, and movie-taking abilities. This one fit the bill, plus I wanted to learn about photography. I must admit I am not a photo-taking guru, but this seems like a camera where everything needs to be just right to get a good picture right on the card instead of having to edit every little detail in a software program.
If you don't feel like messing with the intricacies of adjusting settings and post-shot editing, do NOT purchase this camera. I do intend on returning this camera to try out the Sony H3. It has a better zoom, good amount of megapixels, more user-friendly, and $200 cheaper. It does not zoom during movies, has quite a bit less control in settings, and the memory costs more. I will edit this review if I have any further findings on the Canon G9.
Скроменый эксперт
02.01.2008
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
If you want a camera with many of the features of an SLR but in a more compact form-factor then the Canon PowerShot G9 would make a great choice. That's what I was looking for and I'm pleased with my purchase of a G9.
I've been using a Canon EOS-10D for about 4 years with great results, even though I'm essentially a novice photographer. I find that a great quality camera coupled with an external flash allows me to take very nice pictures. While I love the 10D, I decided that I'd like to get a more compact camera that I could take with me all the time (vs. the 10D which I share with my wife). We also have a Canon PowerShot S500 but I find that the S500 has way too much shutter lag to photograph kids and dogs and lacks features like RAW and a hot-shoe so I decided to purchase a new camera.
Ultimately I chose the G9 because of the following features:
* RAW support
* Manual ISO selection option
* Image stabilization
* Histogram
* 12 mega-pixels
* Large 3.5" LCD screen
* Flash hot-shoe
* Manual shooting modes
* Video shooting modes
I've been using it for several weeks and have been very pleased with the results. The ability to add Canon Speedlite to the camera is one of the best features as bouncing a speedlite on indoor shots was the single biggest improvement I've made to my photography ever. I'm learning how to read a histogram and the G9 is proving to be a great tool as I learn more about photography.
Here are the only drawbacks I've found:
* There is noticeable shuutter-lag. The G9 is much better than my Powershot S500, but there is noticeable lag when compared to my 10D and other Canon SLR's.
* The ergonomics aren't great. The camera would benefit from a slightly larger grip but there are aftermarket grips available to fix this.
* The balance is pretty poor when used with an external flash. This isn't really a knock since the camera is supposed to be small and any small camera will be top-heavy with a flash mounted.
* The onboard flash does a pretty poor job on indoor shots, lighting up the subjects way too much - predictable for any onboard flash.
* The tripod mount is centered on the camera rather than aligned with the lens. This hasn't proved to be a big drawback yet but looking ahead to more tripod use I wish they would have aligned the mount with the lens.
All in all, a great camera.
I've been using a Canon EOS-10D for about 4 years with great results, even though I'm essentially a novice photographer. I find that a great quality camera coupled with an external flash allows me to take very nice pictures. While I love the 10D, I decided that I'd like to get a more compact camera that I could take with me all the time (vs. the 10D which I share with my wife). We also have a Canon PowerShot S500 but I find that the S500 has way too much shutter lag to photograph kids and dogs and lacks features like RAW and a hot-shoe so I decided to purchase a new camera.
Ultimately I chose the G9 because of the following features:
* RAW support
* Manual ISO selection option
* Image stabilization
* Histogram
* 12 mega-pixels
* Large 3.5" LCD screen
* Flash hot-shoe
* Manual shooting modes
* Video shooting modes
I've been using it for several weeks and have been very pleased with the results. The ability to add Canon Speedlite to the camera is one of the best features as bouncing a speedlite on indoor shots was the single biggest improvement I've made to my photography ever. I'm learning how to read a histogram and the G9 is proving to be a great tool as I learn more about photography.
Here are the only drawbacks I've found:
* There is noticeable shuutter-lag. The G9 is much better than my Powershot S500, but there is noticeable lag when compared to my 10D and other Canon SLR's.
* The ergonomics aren't great. The camera would benefit from a slightly larger grip but there are aftermarket grips available to fix this.
* The balance is pretty poor when used with an external flash. This isn't really a knock since the camera is supposed to be small and any small camera will be top-heavy with a flash mounted.
* The onboard flash does a pretty poor job on indoor shots, lighting up the subjects way too much - predictable for any onboard flash.
* The tripod mount is centered on the camera rather than aligned with the lens. This hasn't proved to be a big drawback yet but looking ahead to more tripod use I wish they would have aligned the mount with the lens.
All in all, a great camera.
Скроменый эксперт
04.10.2007
4/10
Оценка пользователя
Ужасно
1. Background info: I am not a Canon user (but I have nothing against Canon products), I've shot with film for many years (Contax), and digitally for the past 4+ years (Sony 828, Sony V3, Sony R1).
2. I was very interested in the G9 when it was recently announced because of the great reputation of the Canon G series and most importantly--> the return of the RAW format in the G9. Furthermore, everything on paper completely outshined my ancient Sony V3; a very good camera but very very slow... and with limited zoom range etc...
3. Thus it was very dissapointing when I had to return the Canon G9 after several days of testing. Here were my impressions of the camera.
a. Build Quality: Good
b. Size: Good; actually smaller than my V3.
c. Performance: excellent--> RAW write times were impressively fast (for a point and shoot).
d. LCD: completely terrible. This is supposed to be the state of the art LCD (3 inch), but there was an overt cool /bluish color cast. I tried every suggested variable (via Canon Tech and various on the forums), I went to a local camera store to try another G9 (same problem), and my observations were also confirmed via numerous folks on the web. Some suggested that I just ignore the color cast and just use the LCD for framing and for checking basic exposure--initially a resonable argument but then when you logically think about it--> why should anyone put up with an overt color cast (and also an overly contrasty) image on the LCD, in a supposed top of the line point and shoot camera, from an industry leader like Canon? It just doesn't make sense. I mean, a $200.00 cheap 5 MP camera has better color rendition on the LCD than this G9.
e. Even with the above LCD issues, I was still going to keep it if it weren't for the only "ok" image results. I did some basic testing comparing the G9 vs Sony V3 (real old camera)--> all shot in RAW, all shot via Tripod, all shot using calibrated gray card etc... Bottomline, the G9 images were good and I'm sure that people will be able to get nice shots from this camera--> but when / if you actually compare it to something like the Sony V3 (which again is an old camera)--> the Sony consistently just produces more sharper images.
4. Thus each person will have to decide what's important to them in regards to their photographic needs / wants / goals etc... For me, it's always image quality and thus I had to return the G9. All around a decent camera that could and should have been a lot better. For now, I'll continue using the Sony V3 and episodically be frustrated with the slow performance, but at least the image quality will be excellent.
2. I was very interested in the G9 when it was recently announced because of the great reputation of the Canon G series and most importantly--> the return of the RAW format in the G9. Furthermore, everything on paper completely outshined my ancient Sony V3; a very good camera but very very slow... and with limited zoom range etc...
3. Thus it was very dissapointing when I had to return the Canon G9 after several days of testing. Here were my impressions of the camera.
a. Build Quality: Good
b. Size: Good; actually smaller than my V3.
c. Performance: excellent--> RAW write times were impressively fast (for a point and shoot).
d. LCD: completely terrible. This is supposed to be the state of the art LCD (3 inch), but there was an overt cool /bluish color cast. I tried every suggested variable (via Canon Tech and various on the forums), I went to a local camera store to try another G9 (same problem), and my observations were also confirmed via numerous folks on the web. Some suggested that I just ignore the color cast and just use the LCD for framing and for checking basic exposure--initially a resonable argument but then when you logically think about it--> why should anyone put up with an overt color cast (and also an overly contrasty) image on the LCD, in a supposed top of the line point and shoot camera, from an industry leader like Canon? It just doesn't make sense. I mean, a $200.00 cheap 5 MP camera has better color rendition on the LCD than this G9.
e. Even with the above LCD issues, I was still going to keep it if it weren't for the only "ok" image results. I did some basic testing comparing the G9 vs Sony V3 (real old camera)--> all shot in RAW, all shot via Tripod, all shot using calibrated gray card etc... Bottomline, the G9 images were good and I'm sure that people will be able to get nice shots from this camera--> but when / if you actually compare it to something like the Sony V3 (which again is an old camera)--> the Sony consistently just produces more sharper images.
4. Thus each person will have to decide what's important to them in regards to their photographic needs / wants / goals etc... For me, it's always image quality and thus I had to return the G9. All around a decent camera that could and should have been a lot better. For now, I'll continue using the Sony V3 and episodically be frustrated with the slow performance, but at least the image quality will be excellent.
Скроменый эксперт
02.05.2008
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
I was looking for a compact travel camera with full manual controls and capable of excellent image quality (at least in good light). There are a lot of great P&S's out there but not a lot of compacts with manual controls.
I had been a fan of Canon Powershot models for a while although I've mostly used several Olymous DSLR's and Panasonic Lumix P&S's for the last several years. The G9 seemed to get generally good reviews and had one of the larger sensors in its class, so I thought I'd give it a try.
Its exposure accuracy is better than any other compact (and even some DSLR's) I've used. The LCD viewfinder provides a very accurate representation of the image you will capture (color balance, exposure, DOF etc). The full manual controls allow for a lot of creativity and good shorts in difficult lighting. The image quality at ISO 200 and below is excellent. You can get good shots at 400 and usable shots up to ISO 800 for small prints, but 1600 and 3200 are for emergency use only.
It starts up fast, focuses accurately and quickly, is a reasonable size and weight, and can produce excellent image quality.
The camera seems very well built and I only have the following nits
1) The camera shake warning seems to always be on at low shutter speeds (regardless of zoom, IS being on or off, or the camera being on a tripod). So it seems its not linked to actual shake or shake the IS could compensate for. Its just a little annoying.
2) I'd much prefer a viewfinder with indicators (iso, shutter speed etc) even if it ended up being an Electronic Viewfinder rather than Optical. I considered a similar Nikon with EVF for that very reason.
3) Why no RAW in Auto or Scene modes?
So if you are looking for a compact travel camera with good performance and great image quality, but want manual control for tough lighting conditions or creative reasons, this is well worth looking at.
I had been a fan of Canon Powershot models for a while although I've mostly used several Olymous DSLR's and Panasonic Lumix P&S's for the last several years. The G9 seemed to get generally good reviews and had one of the larger sensors in its class, so I thought I'd give it a try.
Its exposure accuracy is better than any other compact (and even some DSLR's) I've used. The LCD viewfinder provides a very accurate representation of the image you will capture (color balance, exposure, DOF etc). The full manual controls allow for a lot of creativity and good shorts in difficult lighting. The image quality at ISO 200 and below is excellent. You can get good shots at 400 and usable shots up to ISO 800 for small prints, but 1600 and 3200 are for emergency use only.
It starts up fast, focuses accurately and quickly, is a reasonable size and weight, and can produce excellent image quality.
The camera seems very well built and I only have the following nits
1) The camera shake warning seems to always be on at low shutter speeds (regardless of zoom, IS being on or off, or the camera being on a tripod). So it seems its not linked to actual shake or shake the IS could compensate for. Its just a little annoying.
2) I'd much prefer a viewfinder with indicators (iso, shutter speed etc) even if it ended up being an Electronic Viewfinder rather than Optical. I considered a similar Nikon with EVF for that very reason.
3) Why no RAW in Auto or Scene modes?
So if you are looking for a compact travel camera with good performance and great image quality, but want manual control for tough lighting conditions or creative reasons, this is well worth looking at.
Скроменый эксперт
08.07.2008
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
I bought this to take with me when a D300 would be impractical - biking, playground with kids, etc. For this purpose, its compact form factor is certainly better than a DSLR, however, with all its adjustments, it is still basically a point and shoot with all the disadvantages - slow handling (zoom, focus, shutter) and awkward composition via the LCD. It has an optical viewfinder that is all but worthless.
The controls allow for fairly quick access to key exposure adjustments, but the sensor size limits the DOF range (not much difference between max f/2.8 and min f/8) so Aperture priority mode is not that useful over Program. I avoid using direct flash, and other reviews have covered the usability of ISO over 400, thus this is basically an outdoor use camera, which serves my purposes fine. The G9 has allowed me to get some shots while biking that would never have been possible with an SLR, and shooting RAW is critical to bringing out the best image quality in post processing.
The built in neutral density "filter" is useful in shooting longer exposures during bright daylight, and the size allows for easy placement for bracketing exposures for HDR without needing a tripod. Image quality at ISO 80 is excellent.
In summary, if you are looking for a point & shoot, there are better values than the G9. If you are looking to learn photography, you'd be better served with an entry level SLR - it will be quicker and more satisfying to use. If you are an advanced photographer looking for convenience, the handling of the G9 will be disappointing - but there are times when this is probably the only option vs not carrying a camera at all and missing a shot.
The controls allow for fairly quick access to key exposure adjustments, but the sensor size limits the DOF range (not much difference between max f/2.8 and min f/8) so Aperture priority mode is not that useful over Program. I avoid using direct flash, and other reviews have covered the usability of ISO over 400, thus this is basically an outdoor use camera, which serves my purposes fine. The G9 has allowed me to get some shots while biking that would never have been possible with an SLR, and shooting RAW is critical to bringing out the best image quality in post processing.
The built in neutral density "filter" is useful in shooting longer exposures during bright daylight, and the size allows for easy placement for bracketing exposures for HDR without needing a tripod. Image quality at ISO 80 is excellent.
In summary, if you are looking for a point & shoot, there are better values than the G9. If you are looking to learn photography, you'd be better served with an entry level SLR - it will be quicker and more satisfying to use. If you are an advanced photographer looking for convenience, the handling of the G9 will be disappointing - but there are times when this is probably the only option vs not carrying a camera at all and missing a shot.
Скроменый эксперт
11.04.2009
2/10
Оценка пользователя
Ужасно
I've had this camera for many months and absolutely loved it... until the "dust problem". Now, I have a large grey squiggle and spots that are very visible on the LCD as well as on images shot with the camera. Prior to this, there were dust particles on the *inside* of the lens that could not be removed, but this did not affect the image quality. I suspect I now have dust on the image sensor itself. Now that it's out of warranty, I'm out of luck since Canon won't help me without charging me for repair. This is a widespread problem on the G7, G9 and the new G10.
See [...]
Be warned. If you don't have this problem initially, you inevitably will.
See [...]
Be warned. If you don't have this problem initially, you inevitably will.
Скроменый эксперт
31.07.2008
2/10
Оценка пользователя
Ужасно
The camera is great if you can use it without a problem. you can use manual mode to adjust the the shutter speed/exposure. I bought mine 3 months ago and now regret. after just 1 month of the purchase, I noticed some dust inside the lens that made my focus very slow and even not accurate sometimes. then the dust found the way to the sensor. the dust in the sensor will be shown in the LCD. I sent it to Canon for cleaning the dust under the warranty and after 3 weeks of waiting, it was clean. now I have dust again in the sensor but not in the lens yet after 1 week of receiving it from canon. I didn't use it except for testing. I already bought E-510 and using it for everything. the G9 was in a tight new case canon brand.
This is a common problem most of the G9 suffer from. search the internet about "g9 lens dust". you will find many many people have the same problem with their G7 & G9.
I don't want to send it again to Canon at the current time. I already ordered and waiting for Canon WP-DC21 Underwater housing to use it while snorkeling and diving in a resort soon. waiting 3 weeks to get it clean again means no need for this camera. once I receive my underwater housing, I'll keep the camera in it all the time and use it only for the underwater purpose.
I recommend to look for another brand rather than Canon. like Fuji (Fujifilm Finepix S100fs) and Olympus (SP-570UZ).
1 star for it because I see no point of using a camera for a month and 3 weeks in the service center.
This is a common problem most of the G9 suffer from. search the internet about "g9 lens dust". you will find many many people have the same problem with their G7 & G9.
I don't want to send it again to Canon at the current time. I already ordered and waiting for Canon WP-DC21 Underwater housing to use it while snorkeling and diving in a resort soon. waiting 3 weeks to get it clean again means no need for this camera. once I receive my underwater housing, I'll keep the camera in it all the time and use it only for the underwater purpose.
I recommend to look for another brand rather than Canon. like Fuji (Fujifilm Finepix S100fs) and Olympus (SP-570UZ).
1 star for it because I see no point of using a camera for a month and 3 weeks in the service center.
Скроменый эксперт
18.01.2009
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
Great P&S camera with easy to use manual controls. This is not a low light camera, however if you need such a camera check the new Panasonic P & S that's reviewed and rated on DP review. com found here:
[...]
I used this camera as an excellent back up to my Nikon D90 DSLR
Two Years after purchase:
March 12, 2010
I use and continue to carry this camera for all occasions. I have been using it for seasonal scenics, stills, parties and assorted indoor and outdoor photographic activities. I have now created a wide range of photo slideshows, bound books, portraits and various pieces of arts. The photos taken with this camera have been placed on exhibit, admired and purchased. After two years of use I believe it to be one of the most reliable and versatile cameras I have ever owned.
[...]
I used this camera as an excellent back up to my Nikon D90 DSLR
Two Years after purchase:
March 12, 2010
I use and continue to carry this camera for all occasions. I have been using it for seasonal scenics, stills, parties and assorted indoor and outdoor photographic activities. I have now created a wide range of photo slideshows, bound books, portraits and various pieces of arts. The photos taken with this camera have been placed on exhibit, admired and purchased. After two years of use I believe it to be one of the most reliable and versatile cameras I have ever owned.
Скроменый эксперт
14.06.2008
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
If you're looking for a Point and Shoot with SLR-like qualities, this is it, but you'll have to know the camera and you'll have to know what you're doing in order to get a great shot. I only bought this camera for times where I could not lug around the larger DSLR.
I don't recommend this for people who just want to take family/friend pictures: (1) It's too expensive for just that (2) You'll be disappointed when you just put it on Program or Auto and the shot comes out crappy and (3) You'll be missing out on the other manual features.
The camera has a solid, hefty build so it feels like it can take on the normal wear and tear of regular use.
The LCD screen is large and you can pretty much gauge how the shot will look prior to pressing the shutter button---I would recommend putting a screen protector to prevent scratches and cracks.
I mainly put the camera on Manual, Aperture or Shutter priority. For the most part, I get the shot I need based on my surroundings---I hardly use the other automated settings.
Try not to put ISO higher than 200---Anything above that and the noise is just unbearable.
This is a good P&S camera with creative features, but it can't stand up to the high and mighty DSLRs. Buy it as a complement to your photography arsenal or buy it if you want to have more creative control from a P&S, but DON'T buy it if you're just going to take random shots of family, friends, or events. There are other cheaper P&S that will do the job at a fraction of the cost.
I don't recommend this for people who just want to take family/friend pictures: (1) It's too expensive for just that (2) You'll be disappointed when you just put it on Program or Auto and the shot comes out crappy and (3) You'll be missing out on the other manual features.
The camera has a solid, hefty build so it feels like it can take on the normal wear and tear of regular use.
The LCD screen is large and you can pretty much gauge how the shot will look prior to pressing the shutter button---I would recommend putting a screen protector to prevent scratches and cracks.
I mainly put the camera on Manual, Aperture or Shutter priority. For the most part, I get the shot I need based on my surroundings---I hardly use the other automated settings.
Try not to put ISO higher than 200---Anything above that and the noise is just unbearable.
This is a good P&S camera with creative features, but it can't stand up to the high and mighty DSLRs. Buy it as a complement to your photography arsenal or buy it if you want to have more creative control from a P&S, but DON'T buy it if you're just going to take random shots of family, friends, or events. There are other cheaper P&S that will do the job at a fraction of the cost.
Скроменый эксперт
04.11.2007
6/10
Оценка пользователя
Плохо
I really love the G9. This is the perfect camera for street photography. It takes much sharper pictures than the typical point and shoot and it is much easier for me to carry around than my Canon XT. (I keep it in my messenger bag when I walk around the city.)
The 2 downsides:
1) Noise. The pictures are definitely noisy indoors, no matter how much light. However, it's not any worse than your typical P&S. (It is worse than DSLR for sure though)
2) Poor quality control. SHAME ON CANON. I'm on my fourth unit. All of them have been defective:
a) Green cast on LCD edges when the LCD is black.
b) Tilted/crooked LCD screen
c) 4 bad pixels (two red and two white)
d) Green case on LCD TOP AND BOTTOM
I've given up on getting a good unit and am keeping the last one. Of all the potential defects I've seen, the green cast on the LCD is the least bothersome (since you can only see it on dark images; in most normal cases you can't really detect it). Much rather have a bad screen than bad pixels.
I don't think I've really seen non-defective units of the G9....maybe at B&H at the store (where I bought mine), but now I think the lighting in the store just made it difficult to detect the defect (since when I looked at mine at the store, it was really hard to see the defect in the store lighting for some reason).
Again, I'm REALLY disappointed in Canon's quality control. They made a great camera, but not a single one I've seen is defect free. This is the only reason why I'm giving it 3 stars instead of 4 or 5. This also gives me great hesitancy to buy other more expensive Canon products. ($500 for the G9 is not chump change, but I can live with bad qualtiy for good design. If I spent $1,500 on a Canon 40D and had a bad screen or hot pixels I would totally go nuts.)
In addition, in reading many online forums on this issue, it seems that no one has gotten Canon to even acknowledge the LCD defective screen exists.
Finally, I give Amazon 5 stars for their customer service. Much better hassle free returns with Amazon than at one of the local big New York camera shops (they are good at making recommendations, but returns? forget about it).
The 2 downsides:
1) Noise. The pictures are definitely noisy indoors, no matter how much light. However, it's not any worse than your typical P&S. (It is worse than DSLR for sure though)
2) Poor quality control. SHAME ON CANON. I'm on my fourth unit. All of them have been defective:
a) Green cast on LCD edges when the LCD is black.
b) Tilted/crooked LCD screen
c) 4 bad pixels (two red and two white)
d) Green case on LCD TOP AND BOTTOM
I've given up on getting a good unit and am keeping the last one. Of all the potential defects I've seen, the green cast on the LCD is the least bothersome (since you can only see it on dark images; in most normal cases you can't really detect it). Much rather have a bad screen than bad pixels.
I don't think I've really seen non-defective units of the G9....maybe at B&H at the store (where I bought mine), but now I think the lighting in the store just made it difficult to detect the defect (since when I looked at mine at the store, it was really hard to see the defect in the store lighting for some reason).
Again, I'm REALLY disappointed in Canon's quality control. They made a great camera, but not a single one I've seen is defect free. This is the only reason why I'm giving it 3 stars instead of 4 or 5. This also gives me great hesitancy to buy other more expensive Canon products. ($500 for the G9 is not chump change, but I can live with bad qualtiy for good design. If I spent $1,500 on a Canon 40D and had a bad screen or hot pixels I would totally go nuts.)
In addition, in reading many online forums on this issue, it seems that no one has gotten Canon to even acknowledge the LCD defective screen exists.
Finally, I give Amazon 5 stars for their customer service. Much better hassle free returns with Amazon than at one of the local big New York camera shops (they are good at making recommendations, but returns? forget about it).
Показаны отзывы 145-168 из 440.
