[JohnG]

I was thinking about getting a smaller camera for those times when I can't take the 350D with me. I would need something like the Canon G9 and was wondering what people think of it.
Are there any alternatives to this as it does seem quite a lot of money for a non dSLR ?

[Radiohead]

Cracking camera, but not the smallest. Have a look at the excellent Ricoh GX100 as well.

[midtones]

Sigma DP1 looks interesting too

K.

[andy_fozzy]

Originally Posted by kavster

Sigma DP1 looks interesting too

K.

No zoom?
What a shame.......

[Gordon @ Convergent AV]

I like mine except the poor grainy image quality with iso above 200. I use 400 very sparingly and above that it's useless.

All my images from Vienna were taken with the G9
http://www.flickr.com/photos/urhere/...7603215286822/

[Radiohead]

Great set there Gordon - looks like a very capable camera indeed (in the right hands of course).

[JohnG]

Yes, some excellent photos there. I'm slightly concerned about the size of it, wondering if it will fit in my trousers pocket, so I guess I'll have to go to a shop and see what it's like in real life.

[Tobers]

The G9 does look & feel really nice. I got a TZ3 which is fine for toting about in a pocket, but lacks all the manual control that the G9 provides.

I like the look of the Sigma DP1 as well - very interesting to see how that develops. Yes it has no zoom but that's never bothered Leica owners (yes I know you can switch lenses on Leicas bla bla bla), the spec is cool, and you could always walk closer

[RobDickinson]

G9 seems to me (afte a quick handle) rather large and solid for a trouser pocket. small hip bag or something mebe

[Steven]

Digital Camera virgin, and after many months plumped for the G9

I will say forget about trouser pocket - unless you are comfortable walking around with a bit of a bulge

Still getting to grips with it... but in all honesty its hard to find a proper spare 5 min to have a play

But I agree £300 online (don't anyone dare point it out cheaper ), it is at the same price point as entry DSLR's... but I decided against as I can't be buying lens's as well as the bigger size. There are also bridge cams but again I discounted due to size

Very sorry but no photos to show you

[Steven]

Sorry, finally got some sleep after 36 straight hours (Super Bowl ). My Canon G9 bookmarks that you may find useful in your research (no affiliation with any of the sites)

http://lightdescription.blogspot.com/
http://www.mycanong7.com/
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=26658959
http://www.pbase.com/rameshpkumar/canong9
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=26431379
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=26430387
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=25612433

[peskywinnets]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

But I agree £300 online (don't anyone dare point it out cheaper ):

http://www.johnlewis.com/Sport+and+L...x?source=14798

£20 off voucher.... SHE851PCH445 (to be used upon checkout with your first online order. If you've already ordered, just use a different email address!).

Then a further 6% via quidco, grand total of £263.66 (they have no stock at the minute though!)

[JohnG]

Cheers for the replies everyone, looks like I'll have to weigh up between size vs quality etc now before deciding about this.

[deadprez69]

Another vote for the Ricoh gx100.

I too looked at the G9 but was a little to large so ended up with the gx100.
Both are great cameras.

The problem I found is that there are not many choices as most people don't spend £300+ on a compact camera.

[nivvie]

My main camera is a Canon 40D which I take on all trips, holidays, outings etc... but it can be inconvenient having such a large camera in some situations so I bought a G9. It took a bit of getting used to but now I have I love it, 1cm macro is great fun and at the other end 6x zoom is also good and even the digital zoom which I was dubious about as it takes it to 24x is actually quite useful when trying to get a photo of a distant subject, wildlife for example and the stablizer helps alot.

There are lots of good features which you will have to decide if you would need yourself but it gets my vote.

I just pop it in my coat pocket, I couldn't do that with an SLR. There are smaller and cheaper cameras about for sure but if you like being in control over all the settings you will soon forget the cost and enjoy using it.

I got mine from Amazon for £283 and used their same day delivery because I'm impatient lol.

[Steven]

I found a nice video here of a photoshoot with a Canon G9

P.S. I hope to add pictures of my own to this thread before 2009

[JohnG]

Cheers for that, it gives me an idea of the size of the camera in his hands. I've think I've persuaded myself that I need a G9

[Steven]

Well if you can, try heading out to your nearest Jessops as they stock them (£50 above internet prices though!)

[Tejstar]

I was planning on getting a Canon G9. I currently have a G2 and love it, and despite its age it's one of the best cameras I own. The main reason I hesitate is that it doesn't have a flip-out LCD like the G2 has. Knowing how much I've used the LCD at varying angles flipped out I feel I'm a bit reluctant about the G9.

[Steven]

*No idea what I am doing*

Images resized which won't be remedied until I invest in a Flickr Pro account. First only has a little WB adjustment and PS healing brush. Need to sort out the pink cushion on the left though. Nothing done to second image.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...084-Edit-2.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...N/IMG_0090.jpg

P.S. The teddie isn't mine

[Steven]

On Monday I will order some accessories for my G9. See link. Thinking all three; custom grip, thumb rest and hot shoe cover

I use a wrist strap and haven't had the G9 'slip' in my hand yet, but hey better safe than sorry... so I don't think the phrase 'more money than sense' applies here And Canon could have made the grip slightly bigger and more pronounced.

Will update with ordering info, delivery time and installation

Hoping the grip has the added bonus of improving my photography skills

Also found a mostly agreeable review here

[dclayton]

Originally Posted by peskywinnets

http://www.johnlewis.com/Sport+and+L...x?source=14798

£20 off voucher.... SHE851PCH445 (to be used upon checkout with your first online order. If you've already ordered, just use a different email address!).

Then a further 6% via quidco, grand total of £263.66 (they have no stock at the minute though!)

Thanks for this, now back in stock and have just ordered one

The code given no longer works, but this one does: SHE585PCH452

[jonnypb]

Was in jessops today looking at the 40D and was talking to one of the guys I know. He had just sold someone the G9 and they've done a sample print of the same subject. One taken with the 40D and 17-85 and one taken with the G9 both printed at 12x10 - I struggled to tell the difference and in the end I just ended up guessing what picture was taken with what camera.

Obviously a dslr will kick a p&s camera in low light, operating features, speed, high ISO etc etc but for a general day to day outside shot you couldn't tell the difference between a £950 dslr and lens and a £280 p&s

I was very impressed with the G9 if anyone is thinking of getting it

[senu]

Originally Posted by bubble502

Was in jessops today looking at the 40D and ...
Obviously a dslr will kick a p&s camera in low light, operating features, speed, high ISO etc etc but for a general day to day outside shot you couldn't tell the difference between a £950 dslr and lens and a £280 p&s

I was very impressed with the G9 if anyone is thinking of getting it

Still looking then??

I remember comparing the Canon ProOne ( G9s older) predesessor with the 350D.
The Pro one had an 8Mp Sony sourced CCD and the 350D a Canon CMOS.
The ProOne had an amazing 28-200mm f 2.4-3.5 L lens ect
Im sure a Spot shoot with either in the shop.. Id have left with it

However I have a close friend who owns one and used it on a "field test" and have found that it has more shutter lag and a more than a little more noise after ISO 800. He soon after got a Dynax DSLR 7D as he had a Minolta SLR and had hoped to avoid a DSLR ( which is why he got the Canon)

The G9 has probably improved on all this and for its size , the bees knees but the point is the possible simplistic nature of the comparisons with the 40D such as you had in Jessops..

[jonnypb]

Originally Posted by senu

The G9 has probably improved on all this and for its size , the bees knees but the point is the possible simplistic nature of the comparisons with the 40D such as you had in Jessops..

There's no comparison reallyin a p&s v DSLR. It was a shot they took on the street in good lighting conditions. If it had been anything else like indoors, overcast etc you'd have been able to tell the difference between the two pictures.

I spent longer looking at the G9 than the 40D even though I've no intention of buying the G9 . Just seems a great camera for anyone who wants a backup cam or a general p&s cam

[Steven]

I agree entirely; good lighting and possibly time allows for very good shots and the G9 can certainly produce for when you can't afford to lug around lens'. Though I will also say that low light performance reminds the user that it is a p+s... noise noise noise above 200 unacceptable for me

Anyway some macro shots I like

[dave_bass5]

Great thread.
Im also looking to replace my Fuji F31FD with a G9 as a back up to my 40D.
Its interesting the amount of people who rave about this camera and then say "but not really usable above ISO200 due to noise"
This is putting me off. While for low light i will expect to PP the RAW files and use NR im more worried about day to day shooting. Even with my 40D i dont go under ISO200 , even with fast lens's. most of the sample images i have seen asre all using low ISO. I
Is there really much noise at ISO400? I dont mind using NR (in fact i would always do a bit of PP) but as i already have a good P&S for day light shooting i cant decide if its worth spending out on something that would be a compromise in day to day shooting. I could get a 400D for around the same price. Larger yes but much better as a back up and still smaller than my 40D.

Any thoughts, based on using ISO200+?

[Steven]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/steven2...7603961413160/

Last two photos taken at iso 400. Full 4000x3000 res image can be downloaded for your perusement (at least I think others can take advantage of my pro account status and happily download full file )

[dave_bass5]

Thanks, nice images and they look fine ot me.
Do you have any daytime shots taken about ISO200+?
The reason im asking about this is that i plan on shooting my kids so want to keep the shutter speed up, and as we dont always have good sunlight over here i find using a higher ISO is important. Im ok with noise and know how to get rid of it in PP if needed but i woul dlike to see just how bad it really is beofre i take the plunge.

Did you use Is is those shots? It looks llike its very good. One of the reasons im thinking of getting rid of my Fuji is to get IS. Im aslo going to look at the Fuji F100FD when its out but i know the G9 is in a different class as far as control goes.

[Steven]

Originally Posted by dave_bass5

Thanks, nice images and they look fine ot me.
Do you have any daytime shots taken about ISO200+?

In a word, no, because I like to keep it at ISO 80/100 during daytime. Highest I gone is 400 during night time as you can see I have the IS set on "continuous".

I could take a test shot for you at ISO 400 or 800, but it won't be anything moving because I have no pets or children (important not to confuse the two )... though I could try F1 on the monitor when it is on TV later If you just want to look at what noise looks like during daytime and don't care for a "moving action" shot... but I will say your dslr with regards to that kind of shot will definitely perform better