Canon Powershot G9 (and would it suit me better than a SLR)?
Discussion
I've had a DSLR (a Nikon D50) before, mainly used for a 3 week holiday in NZ. I loved using it, loved the creative control, loved the responsiveness, loved being able to play with filters. However a lot of the time it was in the boot of the hire car and we'd stop, take a short walk, get a good shot and move on. When I got back I barely took it anywhere because it was just a pain to cart about (especially for day walks or MTB rides) and I don't like looking like an amateur paparazzo when I'm just wandering about in cities. Lens swapping irritated me too. Sold it as I was offered barely less than what I paid, been back to my old 3MP Ixus since.
Want something better and have another NZ trip coming up which has got me thinking about cameras again. Given the (even cheaper) prices of low-end DSLRs now, the logical step would probably be to pick up another but I figure the size and inconvenience would come into play again when I got back. May consider another buy-and-sell as a short-term rental though.
Looking on Canon's site, I hadn't realised the Powershot G series seems to have shed it's bulky grip and turned into more of a retro-rangefinder-style cam. The new G9 seems to come in at about £300.
While I'd not expect DSLR quality (although would it really be that bad next to the average budget kit lens?), it does have some compelling stuff that a budget DSLR doesn't:
- 6x optically stabilised lens
- live preview in the LCD
- a very good movie mode (640x480 at 30fps, plus a neat timelapse feature)
- an affordable underwater housing for diving (£140 vs £800+ for SLR ones)
- it's only 43mm thick switched off, which is fine to carry about in a bag.
And like the DSLR I could shoot RAW, have full manual control and even play with filters via a cheap adaptor tube.
Considered the Nikon P5100 but the only underwater housing is the Ikelite at £320, which is far too pricey. Any others in this sort of market worth looking at?
Want something better and have another NZ trip coming up which has got me thinking about cameras again. Given the (even cheaper) prices of low-end DSLRs now, the logical step would probably be to pick up another but I figure the size and inconvenience would come into play again when I got back. May consider another buy-and-sell as a short-term rental though.
Looking on Canon's site, I hadn't realised the Powershot G series seems to have shed it's bulky grip and turned into more of a retro-rangefinder-style cam. The new G9 seems to come in at about £300.
While I'd not expect DSLR quality (although would it really be that bad next to the average budget kit lens?), it does have some compelling stuff that a budget DSLR doesn't:
- 6x optically stabilised lens
- live preview in the LCD
- a very good movie mode (640x480 at 30fps, plus a neat timelapse feature)
- an affordable underwater housing for diving (£140 vs £800+ for SLR ones)
- it's only 43mm thick switched off, which is fine to carry about in a bag.
And like the DSLR I could shoot RAW, have full manual control and even play with filters via a cheap adaptor tube.
Considered the Nikon P5100 but the only underwater housing is the Ikelite at £320, which is far too pricey. Any others in this sort of market worth looking at?
If you are going diving then it's a no brainer. I'd rather have a P&S in a housing than a DSLR sitting on the shore.
Looking away from the water-based aspect from what you describe it sounds like a good plan anyway. Worst case is that you use it, it produces 95% as good results as a DSLR would have for your holiday, then you sell it on like you did the SLR. However I'd wager that it sounds much more likely you will end up keeping it.
From what I've read it is a very capable camera.
Looking away from the water-based aspect from what you describe it sounds like a good plan anyway. Worst case is that you use it, it produces 95% as good results as a DSLR would have for your holiday, then you sell it on like you did the SLR. However I'd wager that it sounds much more likely you will end up keeping it.
From what I've read it is a very capable camera.
Well I've got one, it has its good points and bad points.
It's relatively small (I say relatively because it is not svelte by any means)
Hot shoe for a flash gun (makes a massive difference when you've got greater control of the flash)
12.8MP (This isn't necesarily a plus, it means you can print larger sizes, MP is not the be all and end all, the D50 you had previously has a bigger sensor and will take pictures of a higher quality)
6x optical zoom, never count digital zoom, is a fairly good range, however it can seem a bit long at the wide end at times.
IS is a definite plus
The creative options of an SLR are present with the ability to shoot in Aperture priority, Shutter Priority etc. But the controls are a lot less accessible than the DSLR, and the manual focus is quite awkward to use.
ISO, yes it supports up to 1600 ISO, but 1600 iso shots on my 5D are significantly better than on the G9, this is due to the larger sensor which leads to less image noise.
Overall it's a great little camera, I purchased it not for convenience, but rather because I really don't like carrying about my DSLR + lenses on my Motorbike (scary considering the camera gear is worth as much as, if not more than the bike)
It's relatively small (I say relatively because it is not svelte by any means)
Hot shoe for a flash gun (makes a massive difference when you've got greater control of the flash)
12.8MP (This isn't necesarily a plus, it means you can print larger sizes, MP is not the be all and end all, the D50 you had previously has a bigger sensor and will take pictures of a higher quality)
6x optical zoom, never count digital zoom, is a fairly good range, however it can seem a bit long at the wide end at times.
IS is a definite plus
The creative options of an SLR are present with the ability to shoot in Aperture priority, Shutter Priority etc. But the controls are a lot less accessible than the DSLR, and the manual focus is quite awkward to use.
ISO, yes it supports up to 1600 ISO, but 1600 iso shots on my 5D are significantly better than on the G9, this is due to the larger sensor which leads to less image noise.
Overall it's a great little camera, I purchased it not for convenience, but rather because I really don't like carrying about my DSLR + lenses on my Motorbike (scary considering the camera gear is worth as much as, if not more than the bike)
I've thought about getting a G9 for a while, but can't really bring myslef to get one. Once you're used to an SLR no compact will ever match the quality - especially once you turn the ISO up. The tiny sensors are fundamentally flawed, and the huge pixel count of today's cameras makes the problem worse if anything. Good light and low ISO they're fine, anything else and their compromises show up. I realise that they are more portable, cheaper, etc, etc, but don't think of them as a SLR-substitute. If you want a small SLR the Olympus E410 is a pretty nice little machine and I'm seriously looking at getting one as a more discreet option to complement my EOS1Ds.
This is in fact where film scored over digital - a good quality small compact like the Ricoh GR1 or Contax T2 was at least the equal to any SLR because of the quality of the lens determined the result. Film was the same whatever camera you put it in. Now, where ultimate quality is determined by the sensor, compacts are no longer directly comparable with SLRs. Sigma say they will be launching a compact later this year with a SLR-style APS-C sensor, and I for one can't wait.
This is in fact where film scored over digital - a good quality small compact like the Ricoh GR1 or Contax T2 was at least the equal to any SLR because of the quality of the lens determined the result. Film was the same whatever camera you put it in. Now, where ultimate quality is determined by the sensor, compacts are no longer directly comparable with SLRs. Sigma say they will be launching a compact later this year with a SLR-style APS-C sensor, and I for one can't wait.
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