Canon's PowerShot G9: the DSLR wannabe

More from Canon, this time it's their top-o-the-line G-series, PowerShot G9 compact shooter. Think 12.1 megapixels (1/1.7-inch CCD), 6x optical zoom, optical image stabilization, a DIGIC III image processor, optical viewfinder and 3-inch LCD, Canon's Advanced Face Detection wares, ISO 1600 max sensitivity, 23 shooting modes (including manual), SD/SDHC media support, and even a RAW image mode to pretend you're a pro. Hell, it's even compatible with optional wide-angle, telephoto, and macro supplementary lenses, EOS Speedlite flashes, and Canon's waterproof cases. In stores starting in October for a cool $500 making this one helluvan interesting new shooter.

Gallery: Canon's PowerShot G9: the DSLR wannabe

• 
• 
• 

[Speeddemon2008 @ Aug 20th 2007 5:03AM]

I really like those specs, but it would take alot to pull me away from the menu system of my samsung nv10.

[Rynth @ Aug 20th 2007 5:10AM]

Ooh, thats a big shiny..

Not a bad price neither...

I'm not sure if this could replace my Lecia R8 with digital add-on though..

Maybe as a nice quick point and shooter?

~Humho..

[Sebastien @ Aug 20th 2007 6:26AM]

I'd prefer a lower Pixel count, with a bigger zoom.

[Alain Remi @ Aug 25th 2007 8:53AM]

Yes but a bigger zoom means you give up the optical viewfinder... & NOTHING will replace an optical viewfinder

[Sebastien @ Aug 25th 2007 1:39PM]

bigger zoom, doesnt mean large screen (which is not essential)
and I agree, optical viewfinder is essential!

[Serengeti @ Aug 20th 2007 6:36AM]

Not really THAT new of a shooter. I mean, its just the most recent in a line of camera models: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong7/

Not saying its not a great compact camera, but asides from resolution, what is 'new' about it?

[MR @ Aug 20th 2007 6:57AM]

3" LCD, newer image processor, slightly bigger sensor. Sounds like a decent (but minor) upgrade to me.
But hey, where's G8?

[heyguy @ Aug 20th 2007 7:53AM]

A huge difference would be the inclusion of RAW. People complained endlessly that the G7 did not offer it.

[cpt @ Aug 20th 2007 8:43AM]

@MR
The name "G8" sounds really, really disgusting in Chinese. Believe me, people speaking Chinese just won't buy anything named "G8".

[Tom W @ Oct 9th 2007 12:26AM]

But lots of things sound really disgusting in Chinese ! jiba is considered really obsene ? I just thought it was just "cock".

[Walter A. @ Aug 20th 2007 7:47AM]

This camera is great or lame deendign on how you look at it. If you compare it with Cann's S-series models, then it is a great model, albeit a bulky one. But in calling it a G-model, Canon forces us to compare it to the prior G-series cameras, and that's where this model falls apart...

Awkward shape with poor grip/ergonomics
slow lens
no swiveling/tilting LCD display

These are the features that propelled the G-series cameras to super-stardom since the very first model - along with superb image quality of course. And that brings us to the wholly unnecessary 12 MP resolution, which guarantees noisy low light images and chromatic aberrations - two unacceptable flaws unheard of in the older G-series cameras.

So no, this new model is nothing to write home about. It's a minor update of the last G-model (inexplicably the G7) which was the point where Canon evidently decided that the G-series was drawing too much interest away from their SLR models and had to be dumbed down substantially to correct that problem.

[bombastinator @ Aug 20th 2007 9:02AM]

Its a sort of clone of the old Leica 35mm of great fame. Pros, particularly journalists, used to love them as a compact pocket option. They were the favorite camera of several very famous photographers. From the sound of things that is the market they are aiming for so it makes a certain amount of sense to style the camera that way.

[Preston @ Aug 29th 2007 1:49PM]

OK, Walter, I like your assessment. Were you seeking a camera with similar manual and automated functionality, is not too heavy or bulky, supports an extarnal flash, and takes quality pictures, which ones would you seriously consider? My S500 needs replacement.

[Walter A. @ Aug 30th 2007 7:23AM]

The right camera really depends on your particular needs and wants. As I sasid before, this camera is fine so long as you don't compare it to its G-series predecessors. If I were looking to buy a camera of thi type, I'd probably search ebay for a G6 in great shape. I consider that model to be the best of the series, though the G3 probably produced smoother, less noisy images in low light.

As much as I hate some of their marketing decisions, I am still a big Canon fan, and can't say I'm very tempted by any other models out there. I currently have an SLR and an SD400, plus a G3 that I don't use as often as I used to.

[Zack Urlocker @ Sep 12th 2007 1:44PM]

I am considering an upgrade from a Casio Exilim Z850 (3x zoom, fast shutter lag, no IS, poor ISO, sub-compact form factor). I don't want the bulk of a DSLR, but I would like:
-Better zoom (5x or more)
-Better low-light use
-Image stabilization
-As good, or no worse shot-to-shot speed, shutter lag

I'm ok with a bit more size/weight and even with the price. Does anyone have any experience moving from a sub-compact point & shoot to G7 or G9?

Also, I don't really care about the MP count (I usually just shoot 6 meg anyways for flexibility in cropping) or RAW support. So in that case, is there any upside or downside to the G7 or G9? If I shoot in 6mp format, will I get any noticeable noise? I don't even really print very often.

Any advice appreciated.
Thanks
--Zack

[dave @ Aug 20th 2007 11:46AM]

I love this design. It looks like a lovely rangefinder from the past in may ways, just a bit modernized. Black beauty indeed.

[HineyWipe @ Aug 20th 2007 12:16PM]

I just want a macro feature that isn't washed out by the flash. My previous SD400 took some nice closeups without washing out the image. The SD1000 I replaced it with, awesome in size, but horrible at pictures compared to the SD400, is inadequate. Will I have to get a macro-external flash? Or just spend more for a DSLR, lens and flash setup?

[Roopesh Sheth @ Sep 17th 2007 2:45PM]

The article says it's available in October, but I've had mine since Saturday. It shipped from Amazon.com.

I like the camera. Great optics, just enough flexibility for an amateur/wanna-be photographer without the the cost of a DSLR.