G10 Image quality

[CaptainPete]

Anybody got any hangups about G10 image quality. Are the shots a little noisey even at low ISO. Is it poor at resolving detail.
I'm asking this because my local supplier, who is a photographer, was not happy with shots he got from a G9.
I use a 1DS mkII. Would I be disappointed with the results from a G10?

Pete

[leesurf]

Yes

[Streetshooter]

Man, that's such a loaded question. I would answer that if you realize that every camera is different and gives it's own unique results, then no. If you know what you are after, then it's just a matter of finding the camera that suits your vision, so...then the question is really....
what do you want from the G10?

[10megapixel]

I just ordered my G10, after ALOT of reading and research I chose it over the LX3. There is a TON of information and sample images all over the net discussing and showing the noise levels and image quality of this camera, which I am not worried about at all. Here is a review that was extremely informative to me....

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/kidding.shtml

[ef2]

If you have a good DSLR, yes then you might be disappointed in IQ. ISO 80 is about ISO 200-400 as far as noise is concerned. But the G10 is alot smaller than a 1D ;)

[5Dmaniac]

If you expect the same IQ you'd get from your DSLR at ISO 200 and up, then you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a reasonable sized pocketable camera that delivers above average IQ for 8x10 prints, then the G10 is the camera for you. I love mine, but I would never claim that it is in the same league as my 5d or 40D.

[10megapixel]

If you expect the same IQ you'd get from your DSLR at ISO 200 and up, then you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a reasonable sized pocketable camera that delivers above average IQ for 8x10 prints, then the G10 is the camera for you. I love mine, but I would never claim that it is in the same league as my 5d or 40D.

That's exactly right. Alot of folks (including myself) wishing for that DSLR performance and quality in a small package for a few hundred bucks...ain't gonna happen;) My friend brought over his 40D the other day and let me take some shots and play around with different lenses. I don't have a DSLR and it just made me want one that much more...lol. I want to learn more about being a good photographer and I'm sure the G10 will serve me well for now, and maybe someday I can afford to step up to bigger and better things.

[clipper_from_oz]

Anybody got any hangups about G10 image quality. Are the shots a little noisey even at low ISO. Is it poor at resolving detail.
I'm asking this because my local supplier, who is a photographer, was not happy with shots he got from a G9.
I use a 1DS mkII. Would I be disappointed with the results from a G10?

Pete

I I have the g10 and as little point and shoot its great.

[irishman]

Know its limitations and download the free community version of Noiseware. You'll need it.

[monkshooter]

Well, I am disappointed in my G10, but... I started with a G3, then went to a 20D, now a 40D. I have L glass. Then I bought the G10 about 2 months ago. I really expected a lot and am not getting it. I've tried everything.

Just yesterday, Christmas Eve, I took the 40D and the G10 to the family celebration and only shot the G10 at ISO 80.

I had my 580EX on it the whole time. I was really careful and tried to take good pictures. Result: dissatisfaction, noise and way more blur than I thought I should have. I came to the forum today to see "what I was doing wrong". Problem is, I just DO NOT know.

Are my expectations to high?
Is there something wrong with my camera?
Am I just a fool that doesn't know how to take a picture?

I just don't know.

Here is my current summary:
- Indoor sports where I have to push the ISO to stop the action, too much noise.
- Point and Shoot with the 580EX, should have been a no brainer, clarity not good enough. (I expected perfect.)
- I don't shoot outside much, but the normal outdoor scenery seems ok, but I could have a $120 camera and got that, in my opinion.
- value of all the extra megapixels: seems to be zero, since the cropped images are not up to par

I label myself as a loyal Canon guy, but this is not really working for me. I got the G10 to carry around to "grab" a picture when I was too lazy to carry the "big bag". I'm close to shelving the G10, almost.

[tat2stuff]

Honestly, I think everyone expects these advanced point and shoots to have DSLR IQ. It's an IMPOSSIBLE expectation. They have small image sensors, noise is a characteristic of small image sensors. When you pack more mega pixels onto these small senors, you get more noise. If Canon followed suit with Panasonic and reduced the mega pixels on the G10 instead of raising it, the IQ would have been much better.

I have tried the big 3 advanced point and shoots ( Canon G10, Lumix LX3 and Nikon P6000) The Nikon was the first to go, and I'm still debating on the G10 and LX3. I found IQ to be just about the same all the cameras, LX3 does have less noise at 400 and above. The G10 has the best user interface and feature list out of the 3, with all needed settings on the exterior with dials and buttons . The G10 is however a little large for a pocket camera. The LX3 has the advantage in the faster and wider lens 2.0-2.8 & 24mm. The size is more pocket friendly too. It is limited on the zoom range however. I honestly like them both a lot for different reasons I'm probably going to keep them both.

I found the Image Stabilization on the G10 to be amazing. I shot clear shots at 1/5 - 1/15 hand held, and my hands are far from steady.

You can get pretty usable shots at 400 iso and below with either camera in Raw with some development in Lightroom and CS4 and Noise Ninja. I don't shoot JPG so I cant comment on quality of those images.

I wanted an advanced point and shoot for situations when I didn't feel like lugging around my DSLR and a bag of lenses, something I could always have with me if that picture perfect moment popped up and to do street photography with and I wanted to be able to shoot it in Raw. I know there will be noise, which in the case of my street photography is a benefit as I usually convert to B&W so I get that old TriX grain look. If I'm shooting when I know IQ matters, I bring the DSLR.

Bottom line, they are what they are, compact cameras with small image sensors, not compact cameras with DSLR sensors. You can't buy a Mustang with a 6 cylinder and expect it to run like a Shelby Cobra Mustang just because it's a Mustang. ;)

The G10 is a great camera for what it is...

[vctr]

tat2stuff you hit the nail on the head with the G10. I have mine for about a month now and have been very satisfied with most results except indoor shots. I just spent an hour trying to fix a few indoor photos I shot in jpg ( should have went raw). I took a few with my 430EX which where just ok, but when I switch to on board flash I found most shots way over exposed, massive red eye and not very sharp. typical point and shoot I guess ? I shot in P mode with default flash settings. The G10 is amazing outdoors but turns into a sub par P & S indoors. Maybe if I shoot raw and dial down the flash comp. I can get better results next time.

[monkshooter]

tat2stuff. Good post. It is all about the sanity check.

[10megapixel]

I've had the G10 now for a few days and it's pretty much what I expected. The indoor (low light performance) is not good, but I knew that before I bought it. I used it at the family get together on Christmas eve and just put it on auto to take my pics, the lighting in my house sucks but they turned out decent anyway. Here's one on auto with flash...(had to fix the red eye) ISO@250

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/laserbug/056.jpg


The weather here sucks right now so i haven't had a chance to get outside and really use the camera where it does it's best.

I did grab a shot of a little cemetary not far from my house and then photoshoped the hell out of it :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/3137906484_638bffa4fb_b.jpg

[Collin85]

I use a 1DS mkII. Would I be disappointed with the results from a G10?

Pete

Erm, yes. But it really depends on realistic expectations. If you know what the G10's limitations are and what it can do, prior to the purchase, then you should not be dissappointed. If you were expecting it to perform like your 1Ds Mark II with a 135L, then yes, you will be want to be throwing it into the river.