G10 First Impressions

[Streetshooter]

Ok...got the G10...kept the G9....why...cause with both I can cover wide with the 10 and long with the 9...

ok...1st things 1st...I was pissed at the store cause the battery is different than the G9. No backups in stock yet...not really a problem but it would have been nice to be able to share batteries...

The build is at least as good as the 9.....the grip is better than the stock camera and (sorry Richard) better than the add on grip and thumb rest....
the camera fits the hand very natural and very secure.....no extras needed....

The viewfinder while not perfect is way better than the G9...I'd say probably about 90% accurate thru the range....

They actually made a good lens...way better than the 9..it seems sharper...

There's no real noticable distortion on either end....and the wide end is very nice to have....also the sharpest range on the lens...this is to be expected....

The camera is about the same width/thickness but it's about a 1/4" higher...I guess to make the viewfinder better....

The controls are..well just sexi you should all understand that...
It's real nice to have the iso and the mode dial stacked together....just feels more intuitive.....

the menu is slightly different that the 9...but if you have a 9...it'll come easy...I still didn't read the manual and already made a few images....

The screen is sharper...to be expected.....the rear buttons seem to be the same..and you can access the menu's the same as the 9...

Image quality...the real question...I will say this....
you definately get a very usable 400...that's what I really wanted....it's there with almost no noise even in very low light....I cleaned the image in Noise Ninja and is was virtually clean...slight sharpening with the unsharp mask and 16 x 20 will blow you away....I never go above 11 x 14 paper and this will handle that almost to easy.....

at 800..the noise starts to come in but cleans up in noise ninja....it's not a 5D but usable...at 1600...ya better be thinking in B&W.......I do above 400...no problem there...

the color seems clean, accurate...and nice saturation....

I used the stupid DPP thing that comes with it cause I only shoot raw....hopefully Adobe will release a version of ACR shortly....

So...tomorrow I am escorting a bunch of Fellow Viet Nam Vets to the battleship New Jersey....I will work the camera for the event...I already have confidence in it to use it.....

I may have some questions for some of you about batch processing the images...but I will post the results against the G9...and then we can all make a decision as to which fits the needs...of each one of us...

I can tell you this...I was going to trade the gA9 in and at the last second...I decided to keep it for the long range of the lens...I read some post here and all the sudden..it made sence.....

later and I will post tomorrow....

if anyone has a specific request to compare between the 2 cameras...call me @ 267-784-4042 and I will try to accomadate the request...

shooter

[doable]

Thanks for the information on the G10, much appreaciated.

To batch process, do all your adjustments to each image, exposure, sharpness, contrast, then highlight them all, then click on batch process. Make sure to choose the folder you want, each time you batch process, even if you want the jpgs to be in the same folder. Hit process and wait until they are done.

[Gary W. Graley]

Thanks Shooter, I had sold my G9 to fund the G10 purchase, but I have
a fall back with my older G7 that I handed down to my daugher :) and am
taking with me on my trip to Spain today, unfortunately, my G10 arrives
on Monday, that sucks big time as I'll be away two weeks, would have loved
to had that with me on this trip, work trip that it is, I may get a Sunday to
look around a bit, but I do use it alot for equipment photos and the wide angle
would have come in a little handier for that aspect.

Looking forward to your photos, thanks so much for doing a comparison!
I don't shoot tele much so I'm hoping that the shorter but wider lens will work
ok for me. We shall see how much I miss when it comes time to shoot,

G2 (nic name, not camera ;) )

[arizona85224]

my mom needs a new camera, can't wait to see some pictures at iso 400 and even 800.

[Streetshooter]

Here's the mission photos....sorry everyone...I got so into the camera I never used the G9...but I will at tomorrows mission...

The camera works great and the IQ is beautiful....some of these were at 400 most 80-100....but still..it rivals a DSLR....tomorrow I will do the comparision....hopefully.....

great camera.......

http://thumb14.webshots.net/t/72/72/7/70/71/2588770710103446654oNvwJF_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/album/567673910kTcYqo)

shooter

[arizona85224]

thanks for the shots. I was in that location about 3 years ago while touring the east coast.

[Brad Remick]

Looking forward to seeing the New Jersey shots. Love your Philly pics!

[mastertech01]

Have you tried opening G9 RAW pics with the included DPP that came with the G10?

[Streetshooter]

DPP does not open the G9 files.....bummer...but I use PS3 & LR anyway....
sorry...
another bummer is...on the G9 I have the camera set to Raw only...don't need the jpg....
ok I also have the screen set to B&W because it shows me the graphics and it is more 2 dimensional......

on the 10...I can't get it to do that...if I set the screen to B&W...it shoots a jpg only in B&W....
so, it's back to seeing things in color.....geeze..I hate that....

if anyone else figured that out...I'd appreciate you turning me on....

shooter

[BottomBracket]

Excellent review Don. About the viewfinder, are you saying that it has less parallax error than the G9?

[Streetshooter]

Pio....

It ain't a Leica...but it ain't bad...certainly more usable than the G9
they say it's 77% but it seems closer than that to me....

but the lens man...that's the GAS........very contrasty and very sharp.....

[Piet]

another bummer is...on the G9 I have the camera set to Raw only...don't need the jpg....
ok I also have the screen set to B&W because it shows me the graphics and it is more 2 dimensional......

on the 10...I can't get it to do that...if I set the screen to B&W...it shoots a jpg only in B&W....
so, it's back to seeing things in color.....geeze..I hate that....
shooter

Which setting on the G9 sets the screen to B&W when you shoot color pictures? :confused:
Or do you mean that you can't shoot B&W RAWs with the G10? :eek:

[M24]

The controls are..well just sexi you should all understand that...
It's real nice to have the iso and the mode dial stacked together....just feels more intuitive.....



The primary reason I pre-ordered one. I love the G9 and wouldn't mind having it too, but the wife, at least if she still is my wife after the 1st of next year, isn't on-board with two high-end P&S bodies.

Thanks for the review. I'm chomping at the bit for mine to arrive. I sure hope it shows up before they do my carpal tunnel release! I want to get semi-familiar with the thing before my hand is nearly useless for six weeks.

Can you give us more input on the G10's lens vs. the G9's ?

I've got several friends who are on the fence regarding the two and I was for a bit, but handling the G10 was what sold me.

Best,

Michael

[Streetshooter]

Listen...there's many members here that have or are getting a G9...

It's a great camera...trust me....I sold my M8's and still have the G9...but..and that's a big but...

The lens on the G10 is (only members interested and that won't get upset can read what follows)....

in a different class all together over the G9......
Much sharper....Much more contrast...almost no distortion...even at 28mm....
almost un-perceptible vignetting at any range....none...
at 1600...the raw files process out fine with a sweet grain like noise...
Now remember...I come from analog....Leica's and film for many years...sooooo
what I want at 800-1600 is grain like noise....and slight hallation.....it's got it...and at these high ASA's I do B&W so color noise is not an issue...

I won't sell the G9 yet because I still love the way it translates to 2 dimensions....but it won't be the lead camera anymore....

images coming soon.....shooter

[psykon99]

I've had mine for roughly two hours - so take this with a grain of salt, but I have to agree regarding the lens. It's shaaaaarp! It picks up quite a bit of my ugly facial detail! ;-)

Listen...there's many members here that have or are getting a G9...

It's a great camera...trust me....I sold my M8's and still have the G9...but..and that's a big but...

The lens on the G10 is (only members interested and that won't get upset can read what follows)....

in a different class all together over the G9......
Much sharper....Much more contrast...almost no distortion...even at 28mm....
almost un-perceptible vignetting at any range....none...
at 1600...the raw files process out fine with a sweet grain like noise...
Now remember...I come from analog....Leica's and film for many years...sooooo
what I want at 800-1600 is grain like noise....and slight hallation.....it's got it...and at these high ASA's I do B&W so color noise is not an issue...

I won't sell the G9 yet because I still love the way it translates to 2 dimensions....but it won't be the lead camera anymore....

images coming soon.....shooter

[Gary W. Graley]

You know I love you guys right? but you are killing me, my wife just signed for the
UPS package that arrived today, while I'm over here in Madrid Spain working I have
my old G7, sold the G9 to fund the G10, and the G7 is as she always was, very cool
camera, but I can't wait to get ahold of the G10, like I said, you guys are killing me,
thanks ;)
G2

[taylorwilsdon]

Have her overnight the camera to you. Might cost $$$ (like $70, so it might not be worth it actually) but at least you get to use it :)

[jbkalla]

Man, I can't wait til I can get this camera! Maybe next month...

[Gary W. Graley]

Just got a reply from Amazon.com about the extra battery I ordered, not too good of news!

"Canon NB-7L Lithium-Ion Battery Pack for Canon G10 Digital
Cameras" [Electronics]
Estimated arrival date: 11/12/2008 - 12/01/2008

quite a span of an arrival date eh?
G2

[Streetshooter]

The battery is actually better than the G9...I'm up to 356 frames...45 with flash all in Raw...and still have 2 bars......not to shabby.....

[psykon99]

I gotta say I'm really lovin this thing. I just returned to work from my daughters birthday party. I was using my XTi w/ 430Ex on board most the time. Occasionally tried the G10 with and without it's flash. Worked pretty good, but as built in flashes go, results were what you would typically expect.

So, for giggles I hooked up the 430EX to it. They made a great combination. Then I remembered my Skyport in the closet. I hooked it up to the 430EX, set it on a book shelf to bounce off the ceiling and put the trigger on the [XTi first then] G10. WOW. What a cool setup! The G10 worked flawlessly with the Elinchrom Skyport and my 430EX and I got some great pics to show for it!

Oh, and the resolution... wow... sharpness... and that wide angle came in really handy too.

I bought this thing so I could leave my heavy DSLR equipment at home on my frequent biz travels. I was a little nervous but I will have NO qualms doing so. I'll keep the camera with me and throw the tripod, 430EX, and skyport kit in the trunk. All I'll need. 0

[fireplug]

Yea I myself wasn't expecting to have so much fun with a point and shoot camera. I originally bought it for work so I didn't lug around my Canon 40D as much. All I have to say is, it's awesome. Also, its good to bring around the firehouse for when we do alot of training, it brings out the details more and I can slip it into my coat pocket. :)