Handled the G10 in Japan on 9/18

[M24]

Greetings all,

I was in Japan the day before the big announcement of the 5D MKII and the G10 and during my short trip, I was fortunate enough to make it to Shinjuku to the Canon House in the Mitsui building. We got there in the late afternoon and the place was quite a-buzz.

I've been tempted to get a G9 for some time, as I shot with one of my friends for a weekend and loved it. With the impending announcement of the G10, I decided to wait. It was purely a coincidence that I was in Japan at the time, but I figured if I was going to travel all that way, I had to take some time to get to the Canon House to get my mitts on some of the new gear. There was a waiting list to handle the 5D MKII, so while I was waiting, I looked at the 50D (loved it!) and the G10.

My first impression of the G10 was that it is massive for a point and shoot. And to say that it has a rugged feel and is robust is an understatement. I was really impressed with the fit and finish and also how positive the controls were. Turning its various control knobs inspired confidence with a solid click, no wiggles or feelings of half-turns.

The menu system was very user-friendly as I was able to change various settings quite quickly.

Here are a few pictures I took with a little IXY, which was the only thing I with me on the short trip. Sorry, they aren't the best pics, but at least they will give you an idea of the size of the camera, as I have larger than average hands.

http://s-prefix.smugmug.com/photos/380125505_NPbCG-L.jpg

http://s-prefix.smugmug.com/photos/380125456_phTg4-L.jpg

http://s-prefix.smugmug.com/photos/380125615_U3anw-L.jpg

http://s-prefix.smugmug.com/photos/380127782_UKuHd-L.jpg

Here is a short video clip, it was kinda tricky doing it with one hand, but at least it gives you some detail, I hope you enjoy:

G10 CLIP (http://S-prefix.smugmug.com/gallery/6090696_gX8Lo#382333316_JnZGk-A-LB)

I was planning on pre-ordering a G10, however, I've read some negative things here regarding dust getting inside the lens on the G7 and G9.

In spite of that, I really liked the G10 and felt that it would be the perfect camera to grab when I don't have time to pack my gear and/or don't want to carry anything bigger for walk-around.

How much of a problem has dust been for you G9 owners out there?


Best,

Michael

[Padrino]

Thanks for the info! The pics help a lot to calculate the size of the camera. I have big hands too, so is good to see that the G10 fits ok. Dust in the lens is a (I assume) common problem for G7/G9 owners, the only flaw that many found in an otherwise top build quality. Thanx again, and let's see that video!

[JohnWolf]

Thanks, Michael. Interesting that it's getting bigger when most others are getting smaller. Here are the dimension (inches):

G9: 4.2 x 2.9 x 1.7
G10: 4.3 x 3.1 x 1.8

The LX3 is 4.3 x 2.5 x 1.1. Quite a difference. If the LX3 had a longer lens I'd probably switch.

John

[M24]

Video clip added.

[Collin85]

Good post Michael. Thanks for your time and effort, especially for the video! I owned a G9 for a little while and as far as I'm aware, the G10 is just slightly taller. So yes, it's a pretty big P&S.

[JBStitt]

Thanks also for the pictures. As one of the people who has twice had dust inside the lens, I am curious if Canon has said anything about the situation? Seems like with a new camera they would have responded to the numberous complaints/observations of dust in the lens. To more directly answer your question about how big the problem is, I am continuing to shoot with my G9 with the dust inside the lens and maybe one sensor dust spot instead of sending it in, because I am traveling allot now and have not wanted to be without the camerea. Frankly this second time I have not been able to see picture degredation from the dust and I print up to 13 x 19". Maybe it is there but I seem to be able to handle anything in post processing and have not really seen much difference. I do see the one dust particle on the sensor but the healing brush fixes that quickly and I only see it on the monitor screen and large prints when I have a solid light color covering that spot. Back to the dust, it is just distressing to open the lens, look at it and see these dust particles. They seem to collect toward the center of the lens.

When I sent the camera in for lens cleaning I mentioned in the letter with the camera for service that I know the air to fill the expanded lens cavity has to come from somewhere but that it seem like a simple foam filter could be used to control air entrance and filter out any foreign material. I do hope they did something for it on the G10. Still waiting to hear something official from Canon on this issue before buying a G10. I hope so because I really like how they have updated the G9 to the G10.

[rang]

Nice hands on Michael...something else for my wife to get all bent outta shape when I get it.

There is going to be so much stuff tossed into my grave before the first shovel full that it will be a _mound_ instead of a pit.:lol:

[KarlMarsh]

How much of a problem has dust been for you G9 owners out there?


Enough of a problem that I sold my G9 and wont be buying a G10

[Billyj571]

Haven't decided yet 9 or 10, 9 or 10 lost need a new ps....help

[Collin85]

Haven't decided yet 9 or 10, 9 or 10 lost need a new ps....help

Depends on your personal needs of course? It's hard to say when we don't know anything about what you're looking for out of your photography.

Personally (for ME), I would go G10. The higher resolution LCD, EC dial and compatibility with DPP is enough. Wide-angle tops it off.

[tredders]

Any idea when the G10 will hit the stores? Canon's press release just says "October", and I'm off to the US this weekend on business for a week. I'll pick one up over there if they're in the stores by then.

[Collin85]

Any idea when the G10 will hit the stores? Canon's press release just says "October", and I'm off to the US this weekend on business for a week. I'll pick one up over there if they're in the stores by then.

Hard to say. Even if it were available by then, you might really have to turn on your scavenger radar since it would be in high demand (so you'll likely not be able to just waltz into any store and purchase it over the counter). :D

[tredders]

Hard to say. Even if it were available by then, you might really have to turn on your scavenger radar since it would be in high demand (so you'll likely not be able to just waltz into any store and purchase it over the counter). :D

Yeah, I'm anticipating it going on general release on the US on the 10th October (the day after I arrive home in the UK :))

Mark.

[hassiman]

I have a G9 and I love it. But from what I have seen , the slight increase in the IQ is not enough justification for me to buy a G10. :( I am instead going to buy a new 5D MII and an as yet to be determined L series zoom.:D

[M24]

I pre-ordered a G10 today. I'm going for it. The more I think about it,the more I feel it's the right point & shoot for me.

If it has dust issues, I'll deal with that if it happens.

Look for my report and some images, hopefully in late October or early November.

Best,

Michael

[prcrstn8]

I pre-ordered a G10 today.
Me too, last week.

When I had a (film) SLR it was too big, I never wanted carry it. When I got a (film) P&S it was smaller, but not small enough to carry all the time. With digital P&S I no longer have an excuse, I always have a camera with me.

[Tumak]

Interesting reading, especially about different models of G10 or G-whatever series in the future. Maybe longer zoom models, maybe low light models. One can only hope.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0810/08100302_canoninterview.asp

[Raivyn]

My local camera shop had 8 G10s, and all of them, including the display, have already been sold. :p

I'm gonna try the other camera shop. *fingers crossed*.

[Padrino]

The Interview in DPR made me curious. What's that about different versions of the G10? By the way, the Canon guy wasn't really kind with the CMOS stuff in compacts. Reading that, I'm not really interested in Canon CMOS compacts...

[davidfig]

OMG. The G10 has the spiny thingy. Yes the wheel. Wonder how the G-MEN are going to accept this.

G-MEN = men and women that love the G series.

[BottomBracket]

OMG. The G10 has the spiny thingy. Yes the wheel. Wonder how the G-MEN are going to accept this.

G-MEN = men and women that love the G series.

And your point is .......?

[Tumak]

The Interview in DPR made me curious. What's that about different versions of the G10? By the way, the Canon guy wasn't really kind with the CMOS stuff in compacts. Reading that, I'm not really interested in Canon CMOS compacts...

Yeah, they don't ever let the cat out of the bag until their cameras are ready to ship, it seems. Maybe a tele model, or wide angle model, maybe interchangable lens system, maybe, maybe, maybe. Who knows, but something is afoot, I think or he wouldn't have said that. Maybe he is trying to spark discussion to see if there is any interest and what it would be.

[BottomBracket]

OMG. The G10 has the spiny thingy. Yes the wheel. Wonder how the G-MEN are going to accept this.

G-MEN = men and women that love the G series.

I guess this is another lame attempt by davidfig to insult G-series enthusiasts. If you don't have any interest in G-series cameras, let alone handled or own one, then stop trolling this part of the forum.

[Streetshooter]

Pio...good to see you here...
Just got the G10....great camera.....

[BottomBracket]

Hey Don! After 2 G3's and a G6, I am thinking of getting a G10. I must admit though that the lack of a swivel screen is holding me back a bit, but aside from that I like what I have seen so far. Looking forward to your personal review of it, from a fellow street photographers point of view. Cheers!

[davidfig]

And your point is .......?


My point is this is great. Its one of the best parts of the upper DSLR line. Speeds navigation. Import stuff.

[BottomBracket]

Thanks for clearing it up, without the dig at 'G-Men'. You do realize that a good amount of G users are familiar with the dSLR-type wheel, right?

[davidfig]

Thanks for clearing it up, without the dig at 'G-Men'. You do realize that a good amount of G users are familiar with the dSLR-type wheel, right?

Yes, that's what I assumed. Maybe I shouldn't have, since it got lost in translation.

I would also like to know what G owners thought of this?

PS. bottombracket, your "I am a leaf..." link seems to go nowhere. At least for me. Is it broken?

[samsen]

14.7 G10.
Must be delight to own, even if your are only in DSLR world.

[davidfig]

14.7 G10.
Must be delight to own, even if your are only in DSLR world.

To me this is a drawback. I would rather it be 8mp. But thats me.

[MrChad]

Enough of a problem that I sold my G9 and wont be buying a G10

There was nothing special about the G9 lens, my PowerShot A650 IS uses the same lens, no issues to date with dust. But the A650 IS was recalled for a light leak issue as well.

The repair/service center for all Canon P&S located in the states is actually just north of me in the Chicago burbs near O'Hare airport. I dropped mine off in person for the recall.

[Tumak]

There was nothing special about the G9 lens

I do not believe the A650 has the RS coating that is used o the G9 version, however.

[samsen]

I don't know how the discussion lead to comparison between A650 and G10!
A650 is a wonderful point & shoot but nothing more where G series are meant to be a true professional bodies in disguise. Just take the flash capabilities of the G10 or for that mater, G series that is compatibility with most sophisticated canon's flashes, then considering extremely high flash synchronization that is not even possible with any 1D body (G doesn't have curtain system of DSLR), then you have the most capable camera in studio that can't be duplicated by any one else. Please compare orange with orange.

[Tumak]

I don't know how the discussion lead to comparison between A650 and G10!
A650 is a wonderful point & shoot but nothing more where G series are meant to be a true professional bodies in disguise. Just take the flash capabilities of the G10 or for that mater, G series that is compatibility with most sophisticated canon's flashes, then considering extremely high flash synchronization that is not even possible with any 1D body (G doesn't have curtain system of DSLR), then you have the most capable camera in studio that can't be duplicated by any one else. Please compare orange with orange.

It wasn't until this. Only a comment on G9 lens, using the A650 lens for comparison.

[MrChad]

I don't know how the discussion lead to comparison between A650 and G10!
A650 is a wonderful point & shoot but nothing more where G series are meant to be a true professional bodies in disguise. Just take the flash capabilities of the G10 or for that mater, G series that is compatibility with most sophisticated canon's flashes, then considering extremely high flash synchronization that is not even possible with any 1D body (G doesn't have curtain system of DSLR), then you have the most capable camera in studio that can't be duplicated by any one else. Please compare orange with orange.

Aside from a flash hot shoe and Li-Ion rechargeable battery I'm at a loss for what is missing from the A650 IS that you get in the G9? (OK maybe RAW file format, but I don't take my pocket cam out to shoot RAW.)

I almost purchased a G9 had it in-hand at the debut when Calumet got all the new Canon's in-stock but, it lacked the tilt swivel LCD; which for me is a lot more useful on a P&S then a flash hot shoe. I can't imagine trying to use my 580EXII or studio strobes on the G9. In this day and age where you can get a more featured Rebel for less then the cost of a G camera.

I would have liked to have seen a swivel LCD on the new G10 or the introduction of an A670 IS or so. As such I'll stick with my discontinued A650 IS for now - it's a very nice little camera and it has good balance in-hand too thanks to the 4-AA's in the grip. Which are also a lot nicer for light travel. AA's are easier to find then a 110v outlet on road trips if need be.

I'm way off topic now, and I don't intend to start some type of forum war - but had the G9 lacked RAW as it's predessesor did, their would be little point in buying one over the A650 IS - save for the hotshoe. Which is likely the real reason we don't see an A670 IS...and a reason I may end up buying a G10 one day to get the wider lens I wouldn't mind on my P&S. Unless an A670 shows up in Feb.?