We've always had a soft spot for Canon's G-series of prosumer compacts, and it looks like
the new G10 won't be any exception -- Photography Blog just put the boxy camera through its paces and found that it's "undoubtedly the best ever" in the line. High marks were particularly given to the new wider-angle 28-140mm lens (which suffers less barrel distortion than the G9), higher-res LCD screen, and the new exposure dial, which allows you to fine-tune exposure settings without a trip to the menus. The new 14.7 megapixel sensor didn't receive the same praise, however: ISO 400 images were quite noisy, and the 800 and 1600 settings were "virtually unusable." That's not exactly news for the G-series, but it's pretty unfortunate -- especially considering that the G10's $499 pricetag edges into low-end DSLR territory. Still, if you're looking for a compact with deep manual controls and real optics, it sounds like the G10 is worth a look -- hit the read link for the full review.
posted October 27th 2008 12:23PM
It seems to be a decent enough improvement over the G9. I am looking for a decent compact camera to use, rather than my large DLSR. I wish it was a little cheaper.
I found a cool site with more reviews of the G10. http://www.reviewquest.com/digital-camera/canon-powershot-g10/
Unusable pictures on ISO above 400, and it's "best in the line"? Gotta be kidding me. The G9 was awful unless it was bright and sunny outside and this one sounds _worse_. Apparently people don't understand that tons of pixels on a small CCD = high noise, or don't understand that lots of noise is bad, or ... something.
When someone says the G10 is useless at iso 400.. well that just indicates they have no idea how to take a picture.. I highly suggest a small automatic point and shoot with no manual controls for those who don't like to manage their aperatures, Shutters, flash etc..
oh and by the way... if pixel peeping is keeping you away.. there isn't a NON-DSLR that can compete with DSLR's..
The G10 is fantastic for under $500.00 .. I got mine for $460.00 I love it.. manual controls are awesome.. I can take a picture anywhere.. and they all look great... You just have to know how to use a camera.. I think this camera is just too much for some... they just don't know how to use it to it's full potential... ( that's NOT in auto mode),
how many of you have actually shot with the g10 and aren't just referring to anecdotal evidence of "the small sensor and higher MP's means more noise!"
yeah, yeah, yeah, its physics, its sensor dynamics, sure, whatever helps you sleep at night.
please just shoot with the camera before you make an assumption thats not based on any firsthand knowledge whatsoever.
I'm a working professional (read: i make a living taking pictures) and the g10 (prior to that the g9) is my walk around, in the glovebox, always on me camera, and for that it is perfect. its not a "pocket camera", but then again, unless you love cargo pants what camera really is?
i would like to tell you a story:
once upon a time people used this stuff called "film" and would you believe it we had to live with only being able to shoot one ISO at a given time? oh the horror! funny thing is it taught us how to find our shots, find the light , and get the results we wanted. I swear tech is making people stupid and lazy because if you can't set it to "program" and have the computer make a brilliant exposure for you in any given condition the camera must surely be a piece of crap!
"Oh but it costs $500 dollars so it should do everything my 5d with an 85mm 1.2 can do , especially shoot in low light!" get over yourselves! leica's still cost thousands of dollars and are relatively limited, spartan pieces of gear. Granted a g10 isn't a leica, but the point is that it all comes down to the right tool for the right situation.
whats the best camera? its the one that you don't think twice about taking everywhere and is easily available when opportunities present themselves. for me thats the g10.
I find that your analogy of film cameras and digital cameras doesn't necessarily apply. Take 400 or 800 ISO film and take a photo and you can make enlargements of that fine without the picture turning into a blotchy, funny-colored mess. As for film teaching us to find the right shots and the right light, I also disagree. People have been using film for ages, and you still see people with flashes firing on their cameras when taking photos of landscapes at twilight.
The biggest thing here is that technology has changed how we shoot photos. Before, if you wanted to take photos in any dimly lit situation like a party, you would need to either use a flash or you would have to take a long exposure, or you would have to change your film. Digital cameras have changed this in that you can up the ISO and immediately take photos without worrying about massive motion blur. You're right in that we couldn't get away with this before in the age of film. The point is, we can *now*, and new tech allows us to get shots we pretty much weren't "allowed" to get before.
All of the benefits of the G10 that you described apply to any *always on you* camera, which I agree with, but still doesn't justify this class of camera having noisy 400 ISO pics, *especially* at this stage of camera tech, nor does it speak to why one should get this camera over other models. The thing that would still attract me to it at this point is if it has CHDK support.
GODDAMNIT, CANON. ALL THIS TECH AND YOU WASTE IT ON A SHITTY SENSOR. Why bother making such a nice sub-DSLR camera, and then having a sensor that's no better than the shit they stuff into compact point-and-shoot cameras?
Someone on the board of directors needs to be fired for thinking more megapixels crammed into a small sensor = a good idea.
so you want canon to stuff an apsc-sensor in the G10?
the 1/1.7 sensor is already considered to be "premium" for a compact digital camera....
I read the rumors on the blogs about Canon discontinuing the G9 and all the new and improved features for the G10. I pre order the rig on Amazon and sure enough it delivered today October 3rd, 2008. With the excitement of a 10 year old I ripped open the box and unleashed the new toy.
That is where the excitement ended.
No Time Lapse
1080 video file size, gone
RAW is not included on the AUTO and SCN modes
Who needs 2 more pixels anyway?
Play up features of the DIGIC 4 as marketable value adds, so lame.
The DIGIC 4 is less noisy, lets give credit where credit is due.
I go into more on my blog.
Check my video response to
http://www.studionemo.com/
http://vimeo.com/2095976
Is there some basic material around explaining exactly what a pixel IS? I have some film slr experience from a few years ago, and I think some of my knowledge and skill will be transferable. But there is a lot to learn. I think one pixel is the equivalent of the smallest unit of pics stored on a computer-- a square that contains nothing more than one single color. Is that in fact true? It seems that would argue for 'more is better', but many claim otherwise. I'm a beginner with digital guys. Go easy on me.