Questions on G12

Hi,
I'm in the market for a small P.S camera and leaning towards the G12 or maybe even the new (dare I say it here) nokin P7100.
I would like to stick with canon but have a few questions regarding the G12.
I'm looking for something that I can take on bike riding trips (plus everyday usage) as my SLR's are way to bulky and heavy for such journeys I want something smaller but still able to do what the SLR can do.
I have had a hold of one but couldn't understand the manual due too it being in another langauge.

I need something that has continuous focus ?
I would at times be panning on riders/moving subjects, can the G12 handle this ?

doe's the G12 have face detection ?

In the movie mode, does the image always seem so blury when zooming ?

Are the movies any good from the G12 ?

What is the duribilty of the G12- ie, the flip screen, bottons, dials ?
also has anyone had problems with their G12 and warranty ?
I ask this as canon only supply 12mths as nokin gives 24mths warranty.

I hope someone can help me out here.

Smithers

http://gdlp01.c-wss.com …04191/01/PSG12_​CUG_EN.pdf

Try this link to the G12 manual.

There is a way to set the hyperfocal distance on the G12, and that should take care of the 'continuous focus' question. I think I read that in David Busch's book on the G12. I'm at work so I can't check that out now.

I don't use the movie mode, so perhaps someone else can help there.

I use my G12 a lot and write about it on my blog. These are the G12 related posts: http://lightdescriptio​n.blogspot.com/search/​label/G12

You should check the reviews on a site like Dpreview: http://www.dpreview.co​m/reviews/CanonG12/

In movie mode, G12 zoom is digital, not optical and there is no refocusing while zooming.

If your emphasis is action sports and video then the G12 is probably not your best choice.

Thanks both for the posts,
I have looked into dpreview and like all other reviews it hasn't helped with my desicion.
My emphasis isn't action but would like to know if the G12 or nokin could handle it.
The video doesn't sound to great if it can't focus.
I think I have to keep searching.

Thanks agian for the replies

Smithers

I regularly ride with my G9 lashed to the bars in its bag. It's the only time I dial the camera into automatic mode. During the quiet moments in a ride I'm able to unzip the bag and extract the camera while wiggling the strap on and powering it up. I'll do some blind behind the back shots, asking the subjects to tell me if I'm aiming correctly. Here some results for you, below. My earlier editing attempts are a bit crude. As you can see the dirt road photo, in deep shade, wasn't overly successful.

I don't think the G series is the best for cycling, probably a smaller, weatherproof (read: sweaty jerseyproof), would be better. However, the G will take some better quality photos overall than the simpler p&s.

my $.02

I understand how you are coming at this and it's a pretty common thought process and has validity but I also think it's also a pretty common mistake.

I suspect that the camera you really want, doesn't exist. You're looking at what you think you want to shoot and searching for the camera that does all that. My suggestion is to pick a camera that you simply like and feel comfortable carting around to these destinations and then learn what it does well and adjust your photography to those opportunities. A camera like a G12 does many things well and I'm confident that you would have many years of entertainment focusing on just what it works well for (same with the nikon).

Kevan wrote in post #13208538
I regularly ride with my G9 lashed to the bars in its bag. It's the only time I dial the camera into automatic mode. During the quiet moments in a ride I'm able to unzip the bag and extract the camera while wiggling the strap on and powering it up. I'll do some blind behind the back shots, asking the subjects to tell me if I'm aiming correctly. Here some results for you, below. My earlier editing attempts are a bit crude. As you can see the dirt road photo, in deep shade, wasn't overly successful.

I don't think the G series is the best for cycling, probably a smaller, weatherproof (read: sweaty jerseyproof), would be better. However, the G will take some better quality photos overall than the simpler p&s.

pwdieter wrote in post #13208599
my $.02

I understand how you are coming at this and it's a pretty common thought process and has validity but I also think it's also a pretty common mistake.

I suspect that the camera you really want, doesn't exist. You're looking at what you think you want to shoot and searching for the camera that does all that. My suggestion is to pick a camera that you simply like and feel comfortable carting around to these destinations and then learn what it does well and adjust your photography to those opportunities. A camera like a G12 does many things well and I'm confident that you would have many years of entertainment focusing on just what it works well for (same with the nikon).

Cheers guys,
Nice photos too.
First of I own a 5d + 1dmkIII plus a GoPro.
I would just like a P.S Camera that has pretty much what the G12/P7100 has. though when I played with one it wasn't all I thought.
Difficult in saying that as it was set in German language. so I couldn't find all I wanted in it...hence to why I post here.
judging buy the photos above it seems ok and I think it could handle what I want it for.
I just wanted to ask people who knew about the camera and make sure before I purchase such a thing.
I think it will do what I want and more.

Thanks for all your views and help

Smithers

you can set it to focus continuously (while halfpressed only or all the time). sure it does have face detection, you can set it to wait for eye-blink as a trigger too (never used that though).

mine is about 10 months old now - durability is excellent so far, no tearing, no squeeking anywhere. although you could need getting used to the position of the buttons: during first few weeks the buttons and the dial was getting in the way all the time, but you get the grip with time

the flip screen is something i couldn't live without since my old A610. no problems so far.
zoom during filming is digital one, so yes, its interpolation what you see as a blur. that's a minus, but for me the bigger minus is the shutter lag which can be quite annoying in moments when subject change or run out of focus in half a second.

I'm not going to try and say this video is great as it was made for a limited audience that knows what's going on, but it will give you an idea of what the g12 produces.

http://vimeo.com/28940​660

I agree that no camera is perfect as pwdieter says. I do suspect the G12 would meet your needs though. It is not small and going to fit in your pocket though, but you know that. The movies are fine if you aren't way into making movies. I have found that the smaller sensor cameras seem to keep things in focus easier than the DSLRs simply due to the greater DOF. What I'm saying is that the fact that you can't refocus after you start filming isn't that big of a deal if you are just capturing some fun moments for that sake. With regards to shutter lag, all P&S cameras have that. It is a matter of you figuring out the timing and having the right settings to get what you want. Stopping the action is posible with the little cameras!

Kevan wrote in post #13208538
I regularly ride with my G9 lashed to the bars in its bag. It's the only time I dial the camera into automatic mode. During the quiet moments in a ride I'm able to unzip the bag and extract the camera while wiggling the strap on and powering it up. I'll do some blind behind the back shots, asking the subjects to tell me if I'm aiming correctly. Here some results for you, below.

Now looking at what Kevan does with this camera is like standing on the river bank and watching a wonderfully talented kayaker run a big class five and make it look easy. Don't make the mistake in thinking it's going to work out that smooth for the mere mortal (me). Nice shot man!!

Oh gee...I hope none of my cycling pals read that wonderful compliment, idsurfer. I think we were going about 10 miles an hour in that shot, on a straight and quiet Vermont road, going slightly down hill, with a tailwind and only 20 or 30 shutter clicks to success.

I'm glad you can't see my training wheels.