Choosing between a G9 or a G10?

[Raivyn]

Hello, I'm planning on either buying a G9 or a G10. I don't have either one. I was originally interested in the Panny LX3, but I'm concerned about the build quality as I tend to be a little hard on my toys. ;)

With the G10 coming out, I imagine the price of the G9 will drop, though I haven't seen it happen yet. If there is, say, a $100 price difference between the two, would it make sense to save $100 and get the G9, or spend $100 to get a G10? I know there aren't very many reviews about the G10 right now, so I'm asking for initial impressions from folks.

My hubby wants to get into photography, and I think he will feel more confident using something with easier controls like a G9/G10 rather than a DSLR, plus we need a P&S camera anyway (I have a 40d now). He still needs to learn alot, but at least with a P&S he will be more inclined to carry the camera and take photos, plus there are manual controls with these. Thank you much!

[fireplug]

I would say if Camera X is $600, and the upgraded version Camera Y is $700, I would spend the extra $100. Now if Camera Y is $100+ I would start to look more in depth between the 2, research on if there will be a Camera Z coming out sooner....etc....


But I guess it all comes down to what you really want in a camera. I know myself, I'm looking into getting a nice P&S but I don't know which I want(I have a few companies in mind).

[Raivyn]

From what I've seen, the G10 looks like it will be about $500, and I've seen deals for the G9 for around $400. I agree that between $600 and $700, go with the $700 camera. But if the more expensive camera is double the price of the less expensive one, then that changes things.

I guess I'm trying to pin down if the additional features in the G10 are worth the additional cost, and I'm using the cost of $100 as a barometer.

[RafaPolit]

From what I've seen on Amazon, G9 prices skyrocketed with the G10 announcement and they sell new for around $600!... if you really can find a NEW G9 for $400, I would look into it... but I wouldn't discard the new SX10IS which, at an impressive 20x (28mm-560mm) zoom, provides all the focal range you'll need... specially if you already have a D40.

I do think the SX would be a more "all-use" camera (though probably not as good under low light conditions) for the same $400 (new).

Hope this helps a bit (though introducing yet a third option probably doesn't! :))
Rafa.

[Raivyn]

Actually, you've been very helpful. It seems most people are looking into a G9, a G10, or a Panny LX3. If there are other options, I certainly would like to consider them. My main hang up about the G10 is the size....it's so large compared to the tiny other cameras out there, and there is still some question about image quality.

At the end of the day, I still want nice looking photos. They won't be like our DSLR, but a decent shot with a P&S is better than no shot because we don't like to lug our DSLR everywhere.

[denncald]

If your husband won't need a lot of zoom reach, or width, then you might want to consider the SD990 IS. I has the G10 image sensor, and does offer a full manual mode, but not real Av or Tv. It's smaller, and more likely to be taken with him more often, IMHO.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=17627

Dennis

[PlayersZ28]

I think the first thing to do is to determine what size camera your husband is willing to use most of the time. The ideal camera from a technical standpoint is useless if you don't carry it around. You already have the 40D for when you go on on a "photo shoot" and the SX cameras are a similar format/size. If he would always carry something like the Elph size then go with that. If he would carry the G series then look at those. As far as the G9/G10 I would choose the G9 over the G10 for the price difference. I've seen lightly used G9's for under 400.

BTW, I'm in the same boat. I have the 40D and a small Elph but I'm looking at the G9/G10 as a camera to carry most of the time. The DSLR is not practical to carry around all the time. Unless the G10 is a big leap over the G9 other than the mpixel gain then I'll be looking for a used G9.

[RafaPolit]

Raivyn,

If size is your main concern, then don't go the SX way, it is a bit bigger than the G10 and G9... I was aiming at a price range rather than a size.

For what is worth, I have seen good looking (completely usable!) pictures with the G10 at ISO 1600 which is a nice asset for indoor shots. I try to always go the "newer" way hopping that the manufacturer has improved some things.

Actually, thinking about it, the wider 28mm in the G10 vs. the 36mm on the G9 might help in the decision, depending on what you are aiming to shot and where. If you are looking for indoor "people"'s pictures, then the 28mm will really come in handy.

Rafa.

[Franko515]

From what I've seen, the G10 looks like it will be about $500, and I've seen deals for the G9 for around $400. I agree that between $600 and $700, go with the $700 camera. But if the more expensive camera is double the price of the less expensive one, then that changes things.

I guess I'm trying to pin down if the additional features in the G10 are worth the additional cost, and I'm using the cost of $100 as a barometer.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G5ZTPY

[lkb-28]

Hello Raivyn;

With respect, I think the first question you should be asking is "What am I going to shoot?"; and then, what functions do I need?...

Other small factors apart, fundamentally, the G9 & G10 have different zoom ranges. The G9 is best for longer reach (35-210) while the G10 will be better for the wider end (28-140); so it's a trade-off... For day-to-day use, my preference would be the G9... (I have a G9 and 40D...)

I personally have yet to see anything about the G10 that will persuede me to upgrade. (The ONLY thing about the G10 I like so far is that RAW files are editable in DPP.... The G9 uses ZoomBrowser or ACR.)

You can add a wide-angle adaptor to the G9 if required that will give you the short end, but adding a long-reach adaptor to the end of the G10 will still not reach the long end of the G9 - without an adaptor!

The G9 is a VERY capable camera, producing good IQ at low ISOs, and the price WILL come down a little, but so will stock; so, if you want one, you'll have to move fairly qucikly...

As for the LX3, I know a lot of people are raving about it; but I did NOT have a good experience with Panasonic (TZ3), so would NOT recommend them... (I swapped out the TZ3 for the G9.)

For reviews, check out DPReview. The G10 is here... (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0809/08091702canon_g10.asp)The G9 is here... (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong9/)

Hope that helps..

Good luck;

Lee

[Jannie]

If there is only a hundred dollars difference in the cost I'd definitely go with the G10 and also it's is supposed to have an improved viewfinder for those who can't get used to looking at a screen, the G9 viewfinder is pretty useless.

[Raivyn]

Thanks all for your comments.

This was actually supposed to be a surprise b-day present for my hubby, but I broke down and told him so I could ask him what he wanted to shoot. :p Oh well.

He said he wanted to take photos of surfers, so I thought, "Ok, get the G9 for the zoom." But then he said he'd also like to take nature/landscape shots, so then I thought, "Ok, get the G10 for the wide angle lens."

But I could always get a wide angle lens for the G9, so I'm back to the G9 (though the cost savings would be eaten up by the wide angle lens).

Then hubby said that the viewfinder is important to him. Agh, back to the G10! Plus being able to use DPP...

On the G9, how do you adjust the exposure? I see the G10 has an actual dial for it. We went by Worst Buy the other day to check out the G9, but they had already sold the floor model. We're going to call around some local camera shops to see if they still have a G9 floating around.

[RafaPolit]

Raivyn,

The first image on this DPreview article: G9 in-depth review (page 3) (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong9/page3.asp), shows the Exposure Compensation button.
It is to the upper right of the main dial.

If you download the G9 manual from Canon it is on page 135.

Rafa.
edit: I had included the image but it goes against POTN and Dpreview copyright issues, so please follow the link.

[Raivyn]

Ahhh...thanks for that link!

I have mixed feelings about it being a button instead of a dial. I suppose it wouldn't be so hard to get used to, though.

[lkb-28]

Triggering the button just brings up the on-screen EC bar... it's adjusted by the control dial - similar to the 40D... Not difficult!

Lee

[Raivyn]

Bummer....can't seem to find either a G9 or a G10 for us to handle. All the shops sold their G9 displays, and the G10s are selling like hotcakes! Right now I'm leaning towards the G10 because I like that it is compatible with DPP and I like having the WA w/o needing an adapter.

But if I find a smoking deal on a G9, I may pick that up instead.

[Jannie]

I use manual exposure most of the time with my G9. The viewfinder is waaaaay better on the G10 than the G9. But for surfers the longer lens on the G9 is better but I think using the G10 with the exposure compensation on a manual dial on top will be much more enjoyable.

If I didn't own a G9 already I would not hesitate to get the G10 over it. But being that I've had it barely a year and the changes appear to be convenience (plus wider lens which is pretty important) I'm kinda thinking I'll stick with the G9. For my uses it's done everything I want with the exception of work well at a little higher ISO's which has me now carrying my 5D into situations where I used to leave it at home, not wanting to mess with all of that.

I actually got a small camerabag that I could double as my purse, the ThinkTank UBD 20 which I can carry a 5D body with a lens attached but I'd much rather not do that and carry a camera much smaller.

In my thinking, I could conveniently carry a camera the size of an M8 with me all the time if Canon would make one with a sensor that'll get me great images at decent ISO's and maybe the same lens as the G10's.

I am not willing to buy into the idea that I cannot have a more portable camera than a DSLR which will offer me the same image quality as a DSLR. No, buying an M8 won't cut it, Canon's electronics are so much better and I want all the other stuff the G10 has to offer, so my dream is that they make a bigger camera than a point and shoot but flatter like an M8 that can still be carried with me all the time. Yes I am willing to pay for quality, we already have plenty choices of tiny to small portability and I just think there is a huge opening for something in between.

And for the professional, this would make and need to be a very good choice as a backup camera when traveling. I mean if it costs $1,000 to $3,000 and can offer the best a good lens and digital technology can offer then why not, I almost asked to look at an M8 yesterday but didn't, knowing with my glasses it's a hassle to look through it and use the rangefinder, the cost for what it now is and the less than electronics.

Imagine a camera the same size as an M8, compared to my 5D it's tiny; imagine it with all the things the G10 now has to offer but with a sensor that'll give me the same quality as my 5D an charging appropriately for it. Would you do it? How much would you be willing to pay?

[Rudi]

I already have the G9 and love it to bits, but if I was buying today, I'd definitely wait for the G10 - mainly for the 28mm at the wide end!

[rkhndjr]

I've used my G9 for 14 months and do not plan to go for the G10. Not enough difference and I get excellent pictures from my G9. Go to the Fred Miranda Buy and Sell forum and see if you can find a G9 there. I see them selling for $375-$400 quite often. Good luck.

[Raivyn]

As luck would have it, I found a Rebel XT on clearance at Target w/kit lens...walked out the store with it for $210. We have a 90 day return policy, so we're going to see if that will work as a walk-about camera for us. It *might* be small enough that it will work, and it is priced such that it is worth a try. It is only slightly larger than the SX10, and much smaller than our 40d.

We won't even be able to find a used G9 for that price, and IQ will be better. I don't know about build quality, though, I like the metal housing.

[RafaPolit]

Congrats on the decision!

It would be a bit bigger but you have the advantage that you'll share lenses, so any investment in glass will be worth it.

Rafa.

[Raivyn]

Thanks! We also picked up a Tamron 17-50 2.8 at a great price, too. I know this will still be considerably larger than a G10, but I carried my 40d w/17-55 for an outing yesterday, and it wasn't *that* bad. Just big,and no one else had a camera so large. I felt a little weird. At least with the XT, I'll blend in a little more.

[Jubilee32]

I bought the G9 as a walk-about. I have a 5D and 20D (maybe a 50D soon). I really like the G9 for its size/quality match. It really fits the bill. Airline travel is a pain nowadays so I sometimes just take it along instead of the full assortment. I was fairly amazed at quality. Was at Best Buy today looking around and saw the G10. I would jump on the G10 unless there was a great price difference. The wide angle is nice, the dial ISO and exposure compensation are nice touches and the viewfinder is great. The added MP should help in the crop department for longer shots. Frankly, I find the G9 has less noise than I assumed from the posts in this forum. I assume the G10 will as well.

I know you already went another direction - just thought I would contribute to the original question

[tksc23]

You should just wait till you see more G10 user reviews, then you can decide.

I also want a P&S when I don't feel like carrying my 40D around. LX3 is my top choice so far, f2.0 and it seems better ISO performance than G10.

Congrats on the XT~ :)

[Raivyn]

Thanks, all!

We plan on just going around town with the XT to see if it is truly small enough to fit the bill, or if we would rather sacrifice some IQ and go with a G9 or a G10. We just got such a good deal on them that it made sense to try it out. The XT and the Tamron lens come out to about the same price as the new G10. I'm curious about the size of the Tamron lens, though. I've seen photos comparing it to the Canon 17-55 lens, and the Tamron makes the Canon look like a monster.

I typically carry a fancy backpack as my purse, which is why the XT might work size-wise. But if I carried smaller purses, then obviously it would not.

I like the WA the G10 has, but yes, I think it would be best to wait for more user reviews. I know brand new G9s are dissappearing quickly, but I keep telling myself not to rush.