Just came back with a G10!

[psykon99]

So having heard that several Best Buys had the G10 in stock, I checked with my local store to see if they had it. Two days ago, no. Today, yes yes yes!

I had them set one aside for me and I figured I'd mess around with the display to see if my top three complaints from the G9 were addressed (main reasons I had returned it):

(1) Better viewfinder.
(2) Lower noise.
(3) Wider angle lens.

We all know by now that the lens is wider on the G10. Thank God cause I love shooting at the 28mm focal length (film equiv). The G9 just wasn't wide enough.

Regarding the viewfinder: I tested it in store (as best as you can) and was quite pleased with the results. I'm not so much concerned with coverage (it's roughly 75 - 85%) as much as i am parallax error. The G9 was all over the map. Even wide it was totally inaccurate. The G10 is MUCH better. So far, it seems fairly accurate throughout the whole zoom range in terms of center objects. The way I test is by centering an object in the viewfinder and seeing where it shows up on screen. Unscientific, I know, but hey, I was in the store. Anyway, I was very pleased with the viewfinder verse the G9.

Noise? The Best Buy rep must have been slow or something cause he let me shoot test shots at all ISO levels, one of a display with a range of colors (darks to check the noise in shadows) and portraits of him. We then took the card out and checked the images full size on one of the store PC's. Here's the unscientific, store test results: ISO 80 and 100 are ultra clean. ISO 200 has barely any noise. ISO 400 has a little but WAY better than the G9 (as I can recall it). ISO 800 you really start to see the noise but it's still quite usable. ISO 1600 is truly noisy, but still usable. I think with a little Noise Ninja magic, even the ISO 800 shots will be quite usable, but I'll probably keep it at ISO 400 and under. This is really good to me since I hated even using ISO 200 on the G9, let alone ISO 400 and up. Oh, and keep in mind, these were obviously all JPG tests since i was at the store.

I'll do some real life stuff asap and get some shots posted for everyone.

In the meantime, I'm giddy with excitement... and also trying to figure out how to pacify my wife...

[Alexajlex]

I'd be interested in seeing some low light movie clips.

[marc515]

Agree with what you have noticed with the G10.

The LCD is noticeably better too.

[alan_potter]

I'd be interested in knowing any good wife pacification techniques!

regards,
/alan

[Streetshooter]

I'd be interested in knowing any good wife pacification techniques!

regards,
/alan

Alan,
When I bought my 1st M8, it arrived on the afternoon.
That night after dinner, we sat watching movie.
After around 10 min, Tanya asked me if I was gonna
Check out the new camera. I said, later, I'd rather
Spend time with her. Then she said to check out the
Camera. R U sure,I asked... Ok, if you insist.
Well, hours after she went to sleep I was still on the
Camera. No prob...it was her choice....

[WatchFan1]

We then took the card out and checked the images full size on one of the store PC's. Here's the unscientific, store test results: ISO 80 and 100 are ultra clean. ISO 200 has barely any noise. ISO 400 has a little but WAY better than the G9 (as I can recall it).

thanks for the update and sharing your experience, but with all due respect I will take
the 'WAY better' with a big grain of salt ;)

we are talking about differences so small (IF ANY !!) that i have no idea how one can just 'recall' looking at
high ISO G9 shots at home and compare them from memory vs G10 shots on a different monitor in the store ?????

[lukeap69]

Alan,
When I bought my 1st M8, it arrived on the afternoon.
That night after dinner, we sat watching movie.
After around 10 min, Tanya asked me if I was gonna
Check out the new camera. I said, later, I'd rather
Spend time with her. Then she said to check out the
Camera. R U sure,I asked... Ok, if you insist.
Well, hours after she went to sleep I was still on the
Camera. No prob...it was her choice....

that's one way. any other takers? :D

[Collin85]

So having heard that several Best Buys had the G10 in stock, I checked with my local store to see if they had it. Two days ago, no. Today, yes yes yes!

I had them set one aside for me and I figured I'd mess around with the display to see if my top three complaints from the G9 were addressed (main reasons I had returned it):

(1) Better viewfinder.
(2) Lower noise.
(3) Wider angle lens.

We all know by now that the lens is wider on the G10. Thank God cause I love shooting at the 28mm focal length (film equiv). The G9 just wasn't wide enough.

Regarding the viewfinder: I tested it in store (as best as you can) and was quite pleased with the results. I'm not so much concerned with coverage (it's roughly 75 - 85%) as much as i am parallax error. The G9 was all over the map. Even wide it was totally inaccurate. The G10 is MUCH better. So far, it seems fairly accurate throughout the whole zoom range in terms of center objects. The way I test is by centering an object in the viewfinder and seeing where it shows up on screen. Unscientific, I know, but hey, I was in the store. Anyway, I was very pleased with the viewfinder verse the G9.

Noise? The Best Buy rep must have been slow or something cause he let me shoot test shots at all ISO levels, one of a display with a range of colors (darks to check the noise in shadows) and portraits of him. We then took the card out and checked the images full size on one of the store PC's. Here's the unscientific, store test results: ISO 80 and 100 are ultra clean. ISO 200 has barely any noise. ISO 400 has a little but WAY better than the G9 (as I can recall it). ISO 800 you really start to see the noise but it's still quite usable. ISO 1600 is truly noisy, but still usable. I think with a little Noise Ninja magic, even the ISO 800 shots will be quite usable, but I'll probably keep it at ISO 400 and under. This is really good to me since I hated even using ISO 200 on the G9, let alone ISO 400 and up. Oh, and keep in mind, these were obviously all JPG tests since i was at the store.

I'll do some real life stuff asap and get some shots posted for everyone.

In the meantime, I'm giddy with excitement... and also trying to figure out how to pacify my wife...

Thanks for the quick review! Sounds great.

[Skrim17]

where are the pix??

[psykon99]

I'd be interested in knowing any good wife pacification techniques!

regards,
/alan

Uh, I got none. I think I'm still in the doghouse.

[psykon99]

thanks for the update and sharing your experience, but with all due respect I will take
the 'WAY better' with a big grain of salt ;)

we are talking about differences so small (IF ANY !!) that i have no idea how one can just 'recall' looking at
high ISO G9 shots at home and compare them from memory vs G10 shots on a different monitor in the store ?????

You have a good point. Like I said, take it with a grain of salt. It was a completely unscientific comparison. I DO remember being disatisfied with the G9's ISO 200 pics and completely disatisfied with its ISO 400 shots. I have no qualms shooting at ISO 400 on the G10 and will use ISO 800 if I have to. So, not that it tells you much, but take it for what it's worth.

[randomlinh]

hrm, if noise is that much improved, I might have something to finally shoot for in a compact camera.

[ceehjayem]

I just got one at Best Buy two days ago as well and love it. Next up for me is the 5DM2.

[nobodyspecial]

I was tempted to buy one today and saw that they had a G9 for $379, but it was the store demo. How badly banged up do the displayed p&s get?

[Jannie]

I need to have Adobe LR2 accept the G10 RAW to know what the camera is capable of, kind of a catch 22 but when it happens I'm sure some will be posting the results here on POTN.

I really, really want it to be an improvement, the G9 is amazing and to be able to shoot at a higher ISO would even with that, be a huge leap.

[Andrew Gould]

I'd be interested in knowing any good wife pacification techniques!

regards,
/alan

Ha, ha, ha!!

I'd had my eye on the G9 for some time now, but decided to wait till the G10 came out. Here in Sydney, I hadn't seen it anywhere until I found it by accident in a very large computer store at 5pm on Tuesday. I bought the third one of the first six that had arrived at 2pm that same day.

Wife returns from an overseas trip on Sat. My excuse? "Alan Potter made me do it!!!"

[papasula]

I just came home with my new G10. I came right in and showed the girlfriend who had a look of "what the..." but after I told her it was $499 she paused and (by herself...no prodding or judgment from me!) came out with, "I guess I can't be upset since I'm expecting another box (big box) from Zappo's tomorrow". The rest of the night was great!

My "technique" was to bite the bullet.....and it worked!!!:lol::lol::lol:

[clipper_from_oz]

I'd be interested in knowing any good wife pacification techniques!

regards,
/alan

Easy...tell them that you bought it for them....then after they use it once and forget about it's yours!

[clipper_from_oz]

I need to have Adobe LR2 accept the G10 RAW to know what the camera is capable of, kind of a catch 22 but when it happens I'm sure some will be posting the results here on POTN.

I really, really want it to be an improvement, the G9 is amazing and to be able to shoot at a higher ISO would even with that, be a huge leap.

You can use the Canon software until Lightroom have a patch...Given Lightroom 2 has just updated I wouldnt be holding my breath on anything coming from them for a little while. Im back using the Canon software as a stop gap measure and its no big deal transferring it from Canon to lightroom as a tiff file after minor changes in Canon RAW

[Reibs]

only a few hours,.... and I'll have mine in hand :D

[Beach Puss]

You could always buy her one!

[Beach Puss]

You could always buy her one!!

[keel]

Ha, ha, ha!!

I'd had my eye on the G9 for some time now, but decided to wait till the G10 came out. Here in Sydney, I hadn't seen it anywhere until I found it by accident in a very large computer store at 5pm on Tuesday. I bought the third one of the first six that had arrived at 2pm that same day.

Wife returns from an overseas trip on Sat. My excuse? "Alan Potter made me do it!!!"

How much are they retailing for in OZ?

Keel

[clipper_from_oz]

How much are they retailing for in OZ?

Keel

I bought mine for $710.00AUD. Couldnt get a discount on the camera but got a free card. First time I have ever paid full price for a camera in my life!

[keel]

I bought mine for $710.00AUD. Couldnt get a discount on the camera but got a free card. First time I have ever paid full price for a camera in my life!


I bought my G9 from d-d-photographics.com.au/ . Six months ago but would love the wide angle of the G!10.

Where did you buy yours from?

Keel

[Reibs]

I just brought the G10 home 2 hours ago and WOW.. am I ever impressed ... a P&S that really really can take the place of my SLR for about 40% of my uses. The pictures are amazing, the focus is so quick for a P&S and the color is spot on!

I was so impressed that when I got home, I happened to have a phone call from a person looking to buy a L lens from me and ended up selling my backup 30D to him as well.

Now I just need to wait for the 5D MKII to come in and my kit is complete... until Canon comes out with THE next body..hahaha. :D:lol:

[ptomsu]

I got my G10 last Friday and have done some few hundred shots over the weekend. I am quite impressed with IQ at all ISO levels as well as with the viewfinder (it is not Leica M like, well, but good enough to use it from time to time), the LCD, which is very clear and contrasty and has very good accurate colors and finally the whole handling of the camera.

Waiting to test RAW once it is supported by Aperture, but Superfine L JPEG is already pretty perfect. And colors are reproduced so accurate, much better than the Nikons, Sonys and Panas!

It will become my major travel companion for light travel :)

[clipper_from_oz]

I bought my G9 from d-d-photographics.com.au/ . Six months ago but would love the wide angle of the G!10.

Where did you buy yours from?

Keel

The Camera House in Elizabeth St City Melbourne

[keel]

The Camera House in Elizabeth St City Melbourne

Noticed an add today for the Camera house (I think) here in Perth. Same price (A$710) but you get a free cannon case with it.

I'm very tempted to put my G9 up for sale locally for A$500 and if it sells get the wide angle.

I do miss a wide angle.

Keel